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Rue is an herbaceous perennial subshrub commonly grown for its fragrant leaves and small yellow flowers. Rue is known for its strong, sweet scent and bright yellow flowers. It usually grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. This plant produces small, yellow flowers in clusters, which ripen into small capsule-like fruits. Rue has a strong, distinctive aroma that is often described as unpleasant or medicinal.
Rue, the botanical name of Ruta, has gray-green leaves, which are split in half and give off a musky smell when crushed. It is known for its historical association with protection and warding off evil spirits. In the past. It was used in ancient times to prevent disease and is still believed in some cultures to have protective properties. In terms of medicinal uses, rue has been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments such as headaches, menstrual irregularities, digestive problems, and joint pain. However, its use in herbal medicine is rare today due to its potential toxic properties when consumed in high doses. It is important to note that rue can be harmful if consumed in large quantities and can cause skin irritation in some people.
Rue is from Southern Europe. Rue is also cultivated in other parts of the world for its ornamental and medicinal purposes.
Get to know Rue-Ruta
- Plant type: Evergreens and shrubs
- Growing Zones and Range: Zones 4 to 9
- Hardiness: Plants may die back in cold weather
- Height and width: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
- Foliage: The leaves are blue-green, divided and colored
- Flowers: Small pale yellow leaves in flat clusters
- Flowering time: Mid-summer
- Uses: Vegetable garden, perennial borders
- Common name: Rue
- Botanical name: Ruth
- Family name: Rutaceae
- Origin: Southern Europe
Where to plant Rue – Ruta
- Rue plants like full or part sun, so make sure you plant them in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Plant Rue well-drained, slightly acidic in neutral soil. Amend heavy clay soil with organic matter to improve drainage.
- Rue plants prefer well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Time to plant Rue – Ruta
- If you are starting rue plants from seed, sow them directly in the garden in late spring or early summer. Alternatively, you can start seeds indoors in late winter and plant them outside when the weather warms up.
Planting and dividing Rue – Ruta
- Space rue 2 to 3 feet apart.
- Sow the seeds directly into the garden in late spring or early summer.
How to water and feed Rue – Ruta
- Water rue plants regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering, as rue plants are sensitive to excess moisture.
- Be careful not to overwater as rue plants are susceptible to root rot.
- Rue plants are not very nutritious, so avoid over-fertilizing. A balanced fertilizer can be applied in early spring to promote healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing as this can lead to leg growth.
Care of Rue-Ruta
- Mulch around the base of the rue plants. Mulching can help retain moisture in the soil, control soil temperature, and suppress weed growth around the plant.
- Prune rue plants to encourage bushy growth and improve air circulation. Prune plants in early spring to encourage new growth.
- Rue plants can become leggy if not pruned regularly. Prune plants in spring to encourage bushier growth and remove any dead or damaged branches.
- Prune rue plants back after flowering to encourage bushy growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches as needed.
- Divide plants every few years: To prevent crowding and promote healthy growth, Divide rue plants every 3 to 4 years in early spring or fall.
Rue-Ruta pests and diseases
- Rue plants are susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, and caterpillars. Be aware of any signs of insect infestation and treat immediately with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
How to harvest Rue – Ruta
- Ruta leaves can be harvested during the growing season and used fresh or dried for culinary or medicinal purposes.
Rue-Ruta circulation
- Ruta can be propagated by seed or cuttings or divisions.
- If you are starting from seeds, sow them directly into the ground in the spring or start them indoors at the beginning of the season. If using cuttings, take stem cuttings from a healthy plant and root them in well-drained soil.
- If you are propagating from cuttings, take 4 to 6 inches of healthy rue plants in spring or summer and plant them in well-draining soil.
Rue-Ruta varieties to grow
- Ruta graveolens: subshrub growing 2 to 3 meters tall; punget, blue-green leaves covered with white are divided and airy; small greenish yellow flowers bloom in flat clusters in mid-summer. The cultivar ‘Jackman’s Blue’ is compact with green leaves.
