Goosegrass
Galium aparine
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Pl. 0405 — Galium aparine
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IOverview
Overview
Goosegrass (Galium aparine) is a widespread annual forb/herb native to regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and Austria, and has adapted to various habitats across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. This vine-like plant is known for its edible and medicinal properties. Its tender shoots and leaves are often consumed, while traditional medicine uses the plant to treat skin conditions like chronic eczema and lymphatic congestion. Goosegrass is notable for its ability to climb using tiny hooks on its stems, making it a common sight in fields and gardens. It thrives in light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay soils with a pH between 5.4 and 7.2, and is hardy in temperate regions with zones 3-7. Goosegrass can be propagated through seeds or cuttings and grows up to 1.2 meters tall, requiring a light requirement of 6/10 and regular watering, especially in drier conditions. Its preference for light to medium soil and its adaptability to various climates make it a versatile plant for cultivation.
Quick answers
What is Goosegrass?
Goosegrass (Galium aparine) is a widespread annual forb/herb native to regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and Austria, and has adapted to various habitats across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. This vine-like plant is known for its edible and medicinal properties.
What is Goosegrass used for?
Traditionally used for topical & skin. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Goosegrass
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Traditional use: cleavers cooling lymphatic for skin congestion + chronic eczema.
Iridoid glycosides + lymphatic action
▲ LimitedTopical & skin →
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.
Skin Soothe
skintincture
Traditional use for skin congestion and chronic eczema.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Goosegrass thrives in light to medium soil with a pH between 5.4 and 7.2, tolerating both sandy and clay conditions. It prefers dry to moist environments and is hardy in temperate regions with zones 3-7. Goosegrass can be propagated through seeds or cuttings. This annual plant grows up to 1.2 meters tall and can be cultivated for its edible leaves and shoots. Ensure it receives plenty of light, as it rates a light requirement of 6/10. Regular watering is necessary, especially in drier conditions.
Light
6/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb, Vine
Mature size
1.2 m tall
Soil pH
5.4–7.2
For first-time growers
How to grow Goosegrass for the first time
7steps
Goosegrass is a forgiving plant for beginners, making it an excellent choice for your first gardening project.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring when the soil is workable, or sow directly after the last frost.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with well-draining soil that's not too heavy. Ensure containers are at least 30 cm deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep, spacing them about 5-10 cm apart. Transplant young plants if you start indoors.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water gently to avoid disturbing the roots.
- 6
Ongoing care
Regularly check for weeds and remove them. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: Coffee, Tea
Other uses:CleanserDyeFilterFire starterDynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
81 native · 102 introduced
Distribution
81 native · 102 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 81 native· 102 introduced
Europe26 regions
native (25)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (1)Iceland
Asia17 regions
native (15)AfghanistanChinaIndiaIranIraqMongoliaNepalOmanPakistanPalestineSaudi ArabiaSouth KoreaTurkeyUzbekistanVietnam
introduced (2)GeorgiaJapan
Americas9 regions
introduced (9)BoliviaColombiaDominican RepublicEcuadorGreenlandHaitiPeruUnited StatesUruguay
Africa8 regions
native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
introduced (4)BurundiCabo VerdeEthiopiaNigeria
Broader regions
native:Altay, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Chita, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Gulf States, Irkutsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Selvagens, Tadzhikistan, Turkey-in-Europe, Tuva, West Himalaya, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Bermuda, British Columbia, California, Chatham Is., Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Crozet Is., Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Føroyar, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Juan Fernández Is., Kansas, Kentucky, Labrador, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ogasawara-shoto, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Australia, South Carolina, South Dakota, Svalbard, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Tristan da Cunha, Utah, Vermont, Victoria, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Zaïre
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
Growing zone
Native to
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 0405857c-89b2-44e5-aeaa-d95c65c3e95f
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