Great Saint John's Wort
Hypericum ascyron
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. F9A5 — Hypericum ascyron
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IOverview
Overview
Great Saint John's Wort (Hypericum ascyron) is a perennial plant native to regions including Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, and various areas in China and Russia. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Hardy from zones 3-7, this plant grows up to 1.5 meters tall and is known for its edible leaves and shoots, making it a valuable addition to gardens and landscapes. Its native range extends into parts of North America such as Connecticut and Illinois, where it can be found growing wild or cultivated for its culinary uses.
Quick answers
What is Great Saint John's Wort?
Great Saint John's Wort (Hypericum ascyron) is a perennial plant native to regions including Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, and various areas in China and Russia. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay).
What is Great Saint John's Wort used for?
Traditionally used for mood support, stress & anxiety. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Great Saint John's Wort
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Great Saint John's Wort appears in herbal sources around emotional well-being traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Traditional-use note: Great Saint John's Wort appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate 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.
Great Saint John's Wort support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Great Saint John's Wort thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 3-7 and can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. Propagate via division or seed. Harvest the leaves and shoots for edible use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
1.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Great Saint John's Wort for the first time
8steps
Great Saint John's Wort is a hardy perennial that thrives in full to partial sun and moist soil, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a garden fork, compost, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is well-draining but moisture-retentive. Amend with compost if necessary.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in early spring, covering them lightly. Alternatively, plant young plants directly into the garden.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly during dry spells but avoid overwatering. Mulch annually to maintain soil moisture and fertility.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth begins to encourage a bushy shape.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting mulching, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: Tea
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanMongoliaSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Yakutskiya, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Connecticut, Hainan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Kansas, Massachusetts, Altay, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire
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
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- Citation
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