Sweet Grass (Hierochloe odorata)
Also known as sweetgrass, foin d’odeur is a perennial aromatic plant valued for its medicinal, spiritual, and artisanal properties. Traditionally cultivated and used by Indigenous peoples, it is now gaining growing interest in Quebec..
If you purchased Terre Promise sweetgrass, keep the packaging in the refrigerator upon receipt. Start the seeds indoors as soon as possible. Transplant outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.
What is sweetgrass?
Sweetgrass is a perennial grass that grows naturally in wet meadows and along riverbanks. It is distinguished by its sweet scent, which comes from coumarin, an aromatic compound with many uses.
Why grow sweetgrass in Quebec?
Traditional uses: burned as incense, used in herbal infusions, and in crafts.
Biodiversity preservation: this plant is endangered, mainly due to the loss of its natural habitats and the decline in its cultivation by First Nations communities.
Growing demand: More and more producers and herbalists are looking for quality sweetgrass.
Ideal growing conditions for sweetgrass
1. Choose the right location
Sweetgrass prefers moist, organic-rich, well-drained soil. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 7) is ideal.
2. Planting and propagation
🔹 Propagation: Sweetgrass propagates through rhizomes. Plant root segments in the spring or fall. If you receive sweetgrass from Terre Promise, store it in the refrigerator for a few days, but plant it as soon as possible.
🔹 Spacing: Plant the rhizomes 10-20 cm apart to promote healthy growth.
🔹 Exposure: Choose a sunny or partially shaded location.
3. Maintenance and watering
💧 Watering: Keep the soil moist during the first few weeks, then allow the plant to establish itself without additional watering.
🌿 Weeding: Be cautious of competing grasses! Couch grass, in particular, can be confused with sweetgrass. A good clue: sweetgrass leaves are glossy, while couch grass leaves are matte.
🌱 Fertilizer: Sweetgrass is not demanding and does not require fertilizer.
Harvesting and using sweetgrass
Harvest: The best time to harvest sweetgrass is in summer, before flowering, when its fragrance is most intense, but in autumn its leaves are longer... your choice.
Drying: Dry the stems in the shade, hanging in bundles.
Uses: In braiding, in infusion (caution: toxic in large quantities) or in fumigation to purify the air.