Plantaginaceae • Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort Plantain - Organic

"A discreet perennial that heals pathways and nourishes the living garden."

$4.49

Number of seeds 40 seeds

Native to the meadows and roadsides of Europe and Western Asia, ribwort plantain ( Plantago lanceolata ) is one of those plants that have accompanied humans for centuries without ever making a fuss. With its rosette close to the ground, narrow, veined leaves, and slender flower stalks topped by a small brown spike crowned with a collar of cream-colored flowers, its silhouette is familiar to anyone who observes paths, lawns, and mown meadows.

In a harmonious garden, ribwort plantain naturally finds its place in slightly wild areas, unmowed lawns, or grassy borders. It's a reliable plant: it returns year after year, tolerates foot traffic and poor soils, and offers the attentive gardener edible leaves and a traditional medicinal herb. Its discreet flower spikes attract a small array of insects, contributing to the biodiversity of this quiet corner of the garden.

By installing or welcoming ribwort plantain in a food-producing space, we extend an ancestral gesture : that of picking a simple, but precious plant at the doorstep, which connects the garden to the meadow and the surrounding landscape.

Growing climate: Cool season
Sowing difficulty level: Easy
Care required: Occasional
Growth: Slow growth

Note: Very hardy perennial plant, suitable for undemanding meadows, lawns and borders; tolerates poor soils and trampling well.

The young leaves of ribwort plantain are edible and can be eaten raw in small quantities in salads, or cooked like a leafy green (sautéed, added to soups and stews). Their flavor is herbaceous, slightly bitter and astringent; older leaves are tougher and better suited to cooking.

Ribwort plantain is also a well-documented traditional medicinal plant in folk herbal medicine. Its leaves are used in infusions, oil macerates, or poultices in traditional practices for their reputed emollient and soothing properties. However, the exact uses, preparation methods, and precautions should be verified in specialized books or with qualified professionals.

The leaves can be dried out of direct sunlight (in a thin layer, in a well-ventilated area) for later use. Moderate harvesting, respecting the plant and always leaving enough leaves on each rosette, allows for a balance between harvesting and maintaining a living ground cover.