Plantago major
Greater plantain, Common plantain, White man's foot, Cart-track plant, Rat-tail plant
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 0.1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A much hated weed in lawns where it sits flat on the ground, defies the mower and stifles the grass. It has an honourable history as a healing herb for minor wounds, as well as being used to treat dysentery, insect stings and whooping cough. The seeds can be fed to captive birds as well. This has large ovate ribbed leaves that form the flat rosette. The flowers, held on stout stalks have tiny flowers on their length, bearing some similarity to the tail of a rat. They are not considered to have ornamental value in the species at least. Altogether a plant of character and interest, usually known in some showier hybrids that have ornamental value.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.1m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Prairie garden, Herb garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.
Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.