Allium ursinum
Allium ursinum
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. 60DA — Allium ursinum
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IOverview
Overview
Allium ursinum, commonly known as ramsons or wood garlic, is a perennial plant native to Europe and western Asia. It thrives in moist, light (sandy) to medium soils with a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it adaptable but preferring slightly alkaline conditions. Found across a wide range including Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and many other European countries, this plant is known for its edible parts—leaves, flowers, and roots—which are often used in culinary dishes. One distinctive feature of A. ursinum is its strong garlic-like aroma, which can be detected from a distance, earning it the nickname "wood garlic." Its light requirement and hardiness range of zones 4-8 make it suitable for gardens and natural areas alike.
Quick answers
What is Allium ursinum?
Allium ursinum, commonly known as ramsons or wood garlic, is a perennial plant native to Europe and western Asia. It thrives in moist, light (sandy) to medium soils with a pH between 7.5 and 8, making it adaptable but preferring slightly alkaline conditions.
What is Allium ursinum used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Allium ursinum
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Allium ursinum appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
2 drafts
Mixology suggestions
2 draftsEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Gentle Digest
digestiontincture
Historically used for digestive support.
Soothing Skin
skindecoction
Traditionally applied to soothe skin irritations.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Allium ursinum thrives in moist, light (sandy) to medium soils with a pH of 7.5–8. It is hardy in temperate regions and grows best in partial shade to full sun. Space plants about 20 cm apart for optimal growth. Propagate through direct seeding. Harvest the flowers, leaves, and roots when needed. This perennial reaches heights of 30 cm with a spread of 20 cm. SKIP
Light
4/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m × 0.2 m
Soil pH
7.5–8
- Propagation
- Seed - direct sow
- Germination
- 1 week
- Spacing
- 20 cm
For first-time growers
How to grow Allium ursinum for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Allium ursinum in a sunny spot, and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a garden fork, a rake.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant seeds in early spring or late autumn.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Prepare soil by loosening it with a fork and ensuring good drainage. For containers, use well-draining potting mix.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 20 cm apart in the prepared soil. If using seedlings, space them similarly.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the area moist and mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize sparingly with compost in early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and flowers to encourage new growth and maintain plant health.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too close together, neglecting to mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRoot
Edible uses: The Allium ursinum, or wild garlic, is eaten in various parts of its plant. The leaves are often picked fresh and used raw in salads or cooked as a side dish. The flowers can be added to dishes for flavor, while the roots are typically dug up and prepared by boiling or roasting before consumption. All parts are enjoyed either fresh or preserved through drying.
Other uses:CompanionDisinfectant
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Europe21 regions
native (21)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom
Broader regions
native:Europe, Asia, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 60da119b-35fa-4da5-9bcd-93620302cc1b
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