Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort Plantain) is a herbaceous perennial that is Europe and Asia but has naturalised in temperate regions of North America and Australia. Although Ribwort Plantain is a common weed, it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is highly attractive to butterflies. It is easy to grow and one of the most useful first aid plants to have in the backyard.
Suitable for Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical climates.
Plantagao lanceolata is also commonly known as Narrowleaf Plantain, Lamb’s Tongue, Ribleaf, English Plantain and to a lesser extent the Buckhorn. It is tolerant of frost, drought and low-nutrient soils often taking advantage of land where other plants would struggle. Ribwort Plantain is often found near roadsides, disturbed meadows, surrounding rainforests and lands that have been overly grazed.
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Growth
Plantagao lanceolata is a perennial that grows no higher than 40cm (16 inches) an no wider than 25cm (10 inches) and adapts to a wide range of climates and conditions. The Ribwort Plantain forms a rosette of leaves prior to producing a leafless, hairy flower stem that holds an ovoid inflorescence containing many flowers. Each flower is able to produce up to 200 seeds which explains why many countries consider the plant to be highly invasive.
Ribwort Plantain is best grown in containers or pots in where they receive full sun, minimal water and no fertiliser. If grown primarily for the leaves, gardeners should prune regularly to avoid the plant producing its long stems and therefore flowers and seeds.
Once established, the leaves can be harvested like lettuce with a cut and come again attitude for several years. The plants will go dormant over cold winters but grow quickly during the warmer months. In warmer climates, Ribwort Plantain can produce flowers and seeds all year round.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Plantaginaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5-30°C / 23-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 40cm (16 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 25cm (10 inches)
pH:
5.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Wind, Flies and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
180-210 days
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
21-28 days at temperatures between 20-25°C / 68-77°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 550
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 7 years.
FACTS ABOUT PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA (Ribwort Plantain)
Plantago lanceolata is primarily grown for its medicinal properties which have a wide range of uses and applications. Though the leaves can be used in a poultice directly, it is recommended to create infused oils or salves to have all the benefits on hand and ready to use.
The leaves are bitter to the taste, but can be used internally in herbal teas to help with asthma, hay fever, bronchitis, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome. Topically, the antibacterial properties are excellent for treating insect bites, cuts, bruises, skin inflammations and to stem bleeding.
The root can be used in equal combination with Marrubium vulgare to treat rattlesnake bites while the seeds have been known to treat parasitic worms.
Here is a bunch of DIY recipes and hacks that all use Ribwort Plantain as their main ingredient.
Historically, the stems and flower heads of Ribwort Plantain were subject to a children’s game that was called rifle or 1 o’clock. To play the game, one would pluck a stalk and wrap a loop of the distal end of the stem around the section of stem closest to the flower’s head. The loop is tightened so it stops behind the flower’s head and the stem is pulled backwards until the flower head pops off. As the stalk is slightly elastic, when the flower head separates, it flies off in the direction the stalk is pointed towards, like a gun or a rifle.
