Horny Goat Weed Plants can be a perfect addition as ground cover plants in partially shaded areas. It looks great with heart-shaped leaves.
Horny goat weed (Epimedium sagittatum) is a perennial medicinal herb; it features heart-shaped green leaves that become gold or red during spring and fall. Native to woodlands in Asia and the Mediterranean regions, the Epimedium genus is a group of plants explained as carpeting perennials. This spring flowering plant includes tons of varieties that grow under trees, shade, and rock gardens, summing a blast of spring hue to the landscape.
What is Horny Goat Weed?
The Horny Goat Weed plant produces cup-shaped pink, red, purple, white, orange, and yellow blooms in the spring and early summer in lavender-mauve shades. This plant favors well-draining soil and growing conditions partially covered by shade.
This cold-hardy plant is known for handling symptoms of erectile dysfunction; it is also used for its aphrodisiac effects for many ages. Horny goat weed is loaded with antioxidants; some animal trials have shown it improves testosterone levels and reduce cortisol. Though there are some side effects, like irregular heartbeat, and due to very few human clinical trials, it is suggested to consult your doctor before use.
Other Common Names: Sagittate epimedium, Epimedium, Yinyanghuo
Propagating Horny Goat Weed
This slow-growing ground cover can be propagated by division during spring after flowering or in the late summer to early fall.
Things You’ll Need:
- Gloves
- A shovel
- A pair of garden snips
Directions
- Loosen up the soil gently using a shovel around the plant.
- When the soil is loose, the root structure is moved; remove the plant carefully.
- Use a shovel and cut the root system to divide the plant; make sure each division has a healthy root system and leaves.
- Propagate each division in partial or dappled light.
Growing Horny Goat Weed from Seeds
Harvest the seeds or collect them, and sow immediately before they dry out. Sow the seeds outdoors and let winter cold stratify them. If planting indoors, keep the pots in the refrigerator for three months. Do not bury them deep, and gently cover the seeds with a layer of soil.
If propagated outdoors, the seeds will germinate in the spring, while indoors, they will sprout after taken out from the refrigerator. Maintain the moisture of the soil and do not turn soggy; move indoor seedlings outdoors after the threat of frost has gone.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Horny Goat Weed
Light
To make your horny goat weed thrive, plant it under partial or dappled lighting. It is a great option for shade-garden plants; you can grow it below trees or beside large structures that shade from the harsh afternoon sun.
Soil
Grow this drought-tolerant plant in rocky, dry soil, though it can do well in fertile and well-draining soil as well. Remember that it cannot withstand soggy conditions.
Water
This drought-resistant plant does not need frequent watering once established; water the plant when the soil becomes dry. Avoid overwatering, and do not make the ground soggy. Water the young plants regularly.
Temperature and Humidity
This hardy plant can be grown in USDA zones 5-8; it can tolerate a range of temperatures and humidity levels. Though, intense heat of summer sun can burn the foliage.
Horny Goat Weed Plant Care
Fertilizer
As this plant is often grown in woodland areas or under trees, it favors leaf mold or compost. You can also apply slow-release fertilizer each spring as well.
Pruning
Prune the plant in early spring before blooms appear, cut the leaves to the ground, and trim the fading foliage to boost fresh, healthy growth.
Repotting
When the plant outgrows the pot, remove and divide the plant in a container with drainage holes, and add leaf mold or compost to the soil before planting.
