🌿 Rue: Growing Guide
Rue (Ruta graveolens) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −15 to 38 °C (5–100 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Ruta graveolens |
|---|---|
| Category | Medicinal |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 40 cm (16 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −15 to 38 °C (5–100 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 30–90 cm (12–35 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Jan, Jul · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
Watering
Water about every 7 days in summer and about every 21 days in winter. Hardy Mediterranean plant.
Growing tips
A Greek tradition. Said to deter pests. Yellow flowers. Handling can irritate skin and cause photosensitivity.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Rue: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Rue: how often should I water it?
Water about every 7 days in summer and about every 21 days in winter. Hardy Mediterranean plant.
Rue: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 40 cm (16 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Rue: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Rue: which plants grow well with it?
Rose, Fig.
Plan your garden
Add Rue to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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