Common rue (Ruta graveolens)
How do you sow common rue outdoors?
For sowing common rue, choose spring and prepare a small sunny seedbed with freely draining soil. Remove competing weeds and prepare a fine surface without unnecessarily digging over the whole border. Check the packet instructions for covering the seeds rather than burying them deeply. A container with drainage holes also makes it easier to monitor young plants.
Sow thinly, mark the position and water through a fine rose so the seeds stay in place. Maintain consistent moisture during germination without saturating the ground. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them or transplant carefully. Seedbed spacing is different from the space needed by a mature plant: eventually allow enough room for a small shrub that can reach 50 cm to one metre across.
Gradually acclimatise plants raised under cover to outdoor conditions before moving them to their final position. Monitor watering while they establish, then adjust it to actual soil moisture. Wear gloves when handling rue because contact with its foliage or sap followed by sunlight can cause skin reactions. Place it away from frequently used paths to reduce accidental contact.
How do you plant common rue?
When does common rue flower?
How do you trim common rue?
How to collect common rue stems and seeds
