Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
[GAL-ee-um oh-dor-AY-tum]

Deciduous Perennial Spreading in the Rubiaceae Family
Sweet woodruff is a charming perennial with delicate, whorled foliage and a delightful vanilla-like fragrance. In late spring, it blooms with tiny, star-shaped flowers, perfect for adding a touch of ethereal beauty to your garden.
Galium odoratum, commonly called sweet woodruff, is a low-growing perennial native to the woodlands of Europe and temperate Asia. Whorls of six to nine narrow leaves encircle square stems that form a dense, spreading mat 3 to 6 inches tall. In May, clusters of tiny, star-shaped white flowers rise just above the foliage. Crushed or dried leaves release a sweet, hay-like fragrance from coumarin, which intensifies as the plant wilts — the basis for the traditional German spring drink Maibowle (May wine). Slow to establish but reliable once settled in, it thrives in moist, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, filling in spots where turf grass struggles.

Pros

  • Reliable, fragrant groundcover for shady spots where grass struggles
  • Tolerates light foot traffic once established
  • Dried foliage is fragrant and traditionally used in potpourri and May wine
  • Naturalizes readily in moist shade without becoming invasive

Cons

  • Slow to establish in its first year or two
  • Can spread beyond its intended area once established; occasional mowing or hand-weeding keeps it in bounds
  • May go dormant and look ragged in hot, dry, sunny conditions
Why Like A woodland native of Europe and temperate Asia, long valued beyond the garden for its sweet, hay-like fragrance when dried or wilted. That scent comes from coumarin, historically used to flavor the German spring drink Maibowle (May wine) and to freshen bedding and floors before modern fragrances existed.
Highlights
  • Classic fragrant groundcover for shade — the source of traditional German May wine
  • Whorled foliage on square stems with starry white May flowers
  • Thrives where turf grass won't grow
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 6 inches tall. 8 - 12 inches wide.
Growth Rate Slow To Establish
Sun Exposure Partial Sun - Full Shade
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Does NOT like to dry out.
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Container, Deciduous, Edging, Filler, For a Shady Spot, Fragrant Foliage, Full Shade, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Asia, Native to Europe, Naturalizing, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Sun, Perennial, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period May
Flower Color White
 

Most Popular Plants
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with other moist-shade companions such as Hostas, Ferns, Astilbe, Jacob's Ladder, Bleeding Heart, Lily of the Valley, Coral Bells, and Solomon's Seal.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!