Plants ordered today will begin shipping in May of 2024

Madder (Rubia tinctorum) potted plant, organic

$8.50$21.95

Family: Madder (Rubiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 6 to 10.

Climbing evergreen perennial native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. The plant is a classic element of the Medieval garden, completely unique, wending its way along the ground or draping on fence or trellis.  The yellow, star-like flowers are produced in the second year after which the roots may be dug.  Madder root contains the anthraquinone pigment alizarin, which is responsible for its popularity as a fine red dye plant.  (The English “red coats” owed their visibility to this plant!)   Traditional usage:  TWM, treatment of urinary stone. Plant prefers regular garden soil and full sun.

Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown

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  1. Question

    Jeani Schwenk

    I live just north of Seattle. Will madder root grow well in this area? If I buy it now and plant immediately, will it survive over the winter? I want to grow the roots for dyeing. Thank you!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Jeani, Madder is vigorous and easy to grow in Seattle. Checking my outdoor madder beds and seeing how vigorous they still are, I think you can plant the starts now or in the spring. This is a plant that wants full sun and a fast-draining soil. Richo

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  2. Question

    Ash

    My friend brought to my attention that Madder is an invasive plant, I am worried to plant this on my property. I guess this is more a comment but feel this should be noted on the packet.

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    • -1 out of -1 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Ash,
      OK, I understand your feelings about this, and I think your original motivation to grow the plant was the right one. Any good gardener can keep madder in check and every dyer I know wishes they had more of it. Richo

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  3. Question

    Marianna Jankowska

    Needed seeds Rube Tinc Simplex tu buy

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Marianna, Not sure about this–looks like abbreviated pharmaceutical latin–do you want madder seeds? richo

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    • judith mcdonald

      How much water? humidity? Pretty dry here Yakima in summer north of you 1200′ Would it need to be on irrigation or just get a few soakings? Trying to naturalize plants as much as possible. Great drainage yet the water table is high if the roots can get there

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Judith,
      Interesting that you should mention this now as we are revamping our madder bed this morning, adding nutrients along with lots of sand and pumice because it really likes a dry site. Once it gets established you should be able to get by with a couple of waterings in a summer, or depend on rainfall if that is available. Richo

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  4. One person found this helpful

    Question

    alyssa

    How big is this potted plant? Is it a first year seedling or in its second year w/ established root system?

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Alyssa,
      These are outdoor acclimatized second year plants in our standard 3 inch pot filled with roots.
      richo

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    • Mary VB Goshorn

      Do the roots spread naturally? If so, how fast?

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Mary, Yes, the plant is rhizomatous and spreads fairly fast in loose soil. If you want to keep it controlled, you can plant it in a pot. Richo

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    • Jean Hess

      How well will it do in Knoxville TN?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Jean,
      I really do think madder would grow well there. I’ve seen this planted North, South, East and West with good results.
      Richo

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    • marygoshorn (verified owner)

      Just received my madder plants! My raised bed is ready for them, but the instructions say to pot it in a larger pot and wait for it to grow to twice its size before planting in the garden. I was planning on planting them immediately (after giving them a day or two of sunshine) in the raised bed, so they have time to settle in before winter and are ready to go in the spring. Is this not recommended to do?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi mary, you can plant the madder right in the bed, it is robust, it will do fine. r

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    • nicki

      what are my chances of growing madder in southern Maine ?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi nicki, Thanks for getting in touch. Madder is easy to germinate and grow and southern maine is within the zone designated for madder, so you should be fine. richo

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