A distinctive addition to an herb collection
Psyllium offers a quieter kind of garden interest: slender foliage topped by upright, compact flower and seed heads. Grow it to explore a less familiar annual species alongside your other herbs.
Why grow psyllium?
- Narrow leaves and upright heads add contrasting texture.
- An interesting species for gardeners building a diverse herb collection.
- A generous 1,000-seed packet allows for small trial sowings and later plantings.
Plant details
Botanical name: Plantago ovata
Other names: Blond psyllium, desert plantain, ispaghul
Life cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Spacing: Approximately 9–12 inches
Growing from seed
Sow outdoors after frost, or start indoors ahead of the frost-free growing season. Use a fine, well-drained seedbed and keep it gently moist while seedlings establish. Thin or transplant to allow space between plants, then grow in a sunny location with drainage that prevents waterlogging. Flowers and seed heads develop during the growing season. Allow heads to dry on the plant if you want to collect seed; it may self-sow when seed is left to fall.
What's included
One packet of 1,000 Plantago ovata seeds for planting. This is a garden seed product, not psyllium husk or a prepared food supplement.
