Scurvy Grass
Cochlearia officinalis
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Pl. 27AF — Cochlearia officinalis
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IOverview
Overview
Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia officinalis) is a biennial or perennial plant native to the coastal regions of Northern Europe, including areas such as the Baltic States, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Føroyar, Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland. Known for its edible leaves, this plant thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Scurvy Grass is distinguished by its distinctive, narrow, and often twisted leaf shape, which has earned it the common name "Scurvy Grass." This plant is valued for its culinary uses in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly as a source of vitamin C to prevent scurvy.
Quick answers
What is Scurvy Grass?
Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia officinalis) is a biennial or perennial plant native to the coastal regions of Northern Europe, including areas such as the Baltic States, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Føroyar, Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland.
What is Scurvy Grass used for?
Traditionally used for immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Scurvy Grass
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Scurvy Grass appears in herbal sources around seasonal wellness traditions, often as a tincture. 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
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Scurvy Grass support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Scurvy Grass thrives in moist conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7. It is hardy in temperate regions and can be grown as both a biennial and perennial. Provide it with partial to full sunlight, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. The plant grows up to 0.3 meters tall and its edible leaves can be harvested for use. Propagate via seed or division of established plants.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Biennial, Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Scurvy Grass for the first time
8steps
Start with Scurvy Grass as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden or container.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with moist, well-draining soil. Ensure containers have good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart. Transplant young plants 15-20 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and protect from extreme temperatures.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting regular watering during dry periods.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia officinalis) are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Typically, they are used fresh in salads for their tangy flavor or added to soups and stews for additional nutrition. The plant is native to several European countries and is known for its ability to prevent scurvy due to its high vitamin C content.
Other uses:Disinfectant
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 7 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 7 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 13 native· 7 introduced
Europe14 regions
native (11)BelgiumDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyIrelandNetherlandsNorwayRussiaSwedenUnited Kingdom
introduced (3)ItalySpainSwitzerland
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Føroyar
introduced:Falkland Is., Khabarovsk, Czechoslovakia, Argentina South
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
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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