• Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) herb plant with lush green foliage, branching stems, and delicate yellow-green flower clusters growing in a traditional herb garden.
  • Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) herb plant with lush green foliage, branching stems, and delicate yellow-green flower clusters growing in a traditional herb garden.
  • Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) herb plant with lush green foliage, branching stems, and delicate yellow-green flower clusters growing in a traditional herb garden.
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Eden Valley Seeds

Alexanders Medicinal Herb Seeds – Smyrnium olusatrum Culinary Garden Herb

Alexanders Medicinal Herb Seeds – Smyrnium olusatrum Culinary Garden Herb

$16.99 USD
$16.99 USD
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Key Features

  • Herb Variety: Alexanders, a traditional biennial herb native to the Mediterranean region.

  • Plant Appearance: Features bright green foliage, branching stems, and clusters of small yellow-green flowers.

  • Growth Habit: Develops an upright form and can grow into a substantial garden plant.

  • Garden Uses: Suitable for herb gardens, cottage gardens, and wildlife-friendly planting areas.

  • Traditional Interest: Historically valued as an edible plant, with several parts used in traditional cooking.

Growing Benefits

  • Introduces an unusual historical herb to traditional and cottage-style gardens.

  • Adds attractive foliage and delicate flower clusters to garden spaces.

  • Provides an opportunity to explore traditional culinary plant varieties.

  • Can support pollinators when its flowers are allowed to bloom.

  • Offers an interesting growing project for gardeners who enjoy uncommon herbs.

Seed Specifications

  • Common Name: Alexanders, Black Lovage, Horse Parsley

  • Botanical Name: Smyrnium olusatrum

  • Plant Type: Biennial herb

  • Colors: Green foliage with yellow-green flowers and dark mature fruits.

  • Height: Commonly around three to five feet, depending on growing conditions.

  • Sunlight: Full sun to light shade

  • Soil: Moisture-retentive, well-drained soil; tolerates loam, clay, sand, and chalk.

  • Water: Regular watering to maintain evenly moist soil, especially during dry weather.

  • Germination Time: Variable; fresh seeds may germinate in roughly two to four weeks under suitable conditions, but dormancy can delay emergence.

  • Sowing Depth: Sow shallowly and cover lightly with soil.

  • Spacing: Allow approximately 12–18 inches between established plants.

  • Growing Zones: Generally suited to temperate climates; hardiness varies with local conditions.

  • Flowering/Maturity: Usually flowers in its second year, producing yellow-green flower clusters in spring or early summer.

  • Uses: Traditional culinary herb, cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly planting, and historical herb collections.

Growing Tips

  • Sow fresh seeds in autumn when possible to support natural seasonal germination.

  • Choose a sunny or lightly shaded location with well-drained soil.

  • Keep the soil evenly moist without allowing water to collect around the roots.

  • Leave enough space for the plant's tall stems and spreading foliage.

Seed Storage

Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark place in a clearly labeled, airtight container. Keep them away from moisture and temperature fluctuations. Alexanders seeds can lose viability over time, so fresh seed and prompt sowing are preferable. 

Unique Facts About Alexanders Seeds

  • Ancient culinary history: Alexanders was widely grown as a pot herb before celery became more popular in European kitchens.

  • Distinctive aroma: The plant has a characteristic myrrh-like scent, reflected in the origin of its botanical name.

  • Dark mature fruits: Its fruits turn dark or black as they ripen, giving the plant one of its distinctive identifying features.

  • Wildlife value: Its small flowers attract a range of insects, making it a useful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

Growing Instructions

Planting Season

Autumn is generally the preferred sowing season in temperate climates because seeds can experience natural seasonal conditions. In warmer regions, choose a locally suitable cool period and protect young seedlings from excessive heat.

Sowing and Seed Depth

Prepare a fine, weed-free seedbed or use small pots filled with quality seed-starting compost. Sow seeds shallowly and cover them lightly with compost or fine soil. Avoid burying them deeply.

Spacing

Sow seeds thinly to reduce competition. Once seedlings are established, thin or transplant them to leave approximately 12–18 inches between plants, allowing room for their mature foliage.

Sunlight and Soil

Choose a sunny position or one with light shade. Alexanders grows well in reasonably fertile, moisture-retentive soil that drains adequately. Improve compacted soil with suitable organic matter before planting.

Watering and Germination

Water after sowing and keep the growing medium consistently moist, not waterlogged. Germination can be irregular, and seeds may respond to seasonal temperature changes. Some seeds may take longer to emerge, so avoid disturbing the soil too soon.

Transplanting

If seedlings are started in pots, transplant them while young and handle the roots gently. Water thoroughly after planting and protect new growth while it establishes.

Fertilizing and Plant Care

In reasonably fertile soil, heavy feeding is usually unnecessary. Add mature compost before planting if the soil needs improvement. Remove competing weeds, water during dry spells, and allow adequate airflow around plants.

Flowering and Maturity

Alexanders is generally a biennial, developing leafy growth before flowering in its second year. Small yellow-green flowers form in umbrella-shaped clusters, followed by dark mature fruits. Allow some flowers to mature if you want to collect seeds for future sowing.

Safety Note: Although Alexanders has a history of culinary and traditional medicinal use, it should not be marketed as a proven treatment for medical conditions. It belongs to the carrot family, which includes toxic lookalikes; never consume a plant based on an uncertain identification