How big does Red valerian grow?

About 80 cm × 60 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.4–1.2 m × 30–60 cm.

What soil does Red valerian grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Red valerian hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Red valerian toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

When does Red valerian flower?

Flowering: May–September, red, pink, white.

How much water does Red valerian need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Red valerian

Centranthus ruber

Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) is a perennial that reaches 80 cm × 60 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €3.90.

Illustration of Red valerian — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A bushy perennial with fleshy, blue-green leaves that carries clusters of small, fragrant crimson, pink or white flowers from late spring to autumn and draws butterflies. It is happy where other plants give up: in full sun, in dry, stony, limy soil and in the cracks of retaining and stone walls. It seeds itself generously, so cut off the spent flowers if you do not want seedlings everywhere, and keep it out of wet, heavy ground.

Watch out for

It self-seeds abundantly: the wind-borne seeds come up in gravel, paving joints and wall cracks, so it is worth cutting back after flowering. The crown rots in wet, heavy soil and the plant grows lanky and flops in rich ground. In the colder parts of Central Europe newly planted clumps can be damaged by hard frost without snow cover, so plant in spring there. Individual plants tire after a few years, but seedlings replace them. Aphids appear occasionally.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 80 cm × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–September, red, pink, white

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	80 cm × 60 cm
Ultimate size	0.4–1.2 m × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–September, red, pink, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €3.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €3.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Perennials that flower all summer Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant perennials Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to children Perennials for pollinators Plants for containers Low-maintenance perennials Plants for a Mediterranean garden Fragrant plants Fragrant perennials

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