Hypericum Plants, commonly known as St. Johns Wort, are attractive perennial plants that have been useful as mass ground covers for many years. St. Johns Wort has come a long way as a plant family. Different types of Hypericum are now thought of as small shrubs that don’t spread out like Hypericum Calycinum does. These newly introduced shrubs are best used in landscape beds or even naturalized plantings.
All St. Johns Worts produce bright yellow flowers beginning in early summer, and many rebloom through the summer and fall. When this plant isn’t in flower, the newer types have colorful seed pods that keep it interesting.
With its bright yellow flowers and lush green foliage, St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a beloved perennial plant. St John’s wort has also been used for centuries as an herbal remedy to help treat depression, anxiety, and sleep issues.
If you’d like to grow this cheery plant in your own garden, you may be wondering where to find St John’s wort plants for sale. Here is a complete guide to buying this versatile plant online and from local sources.
St John’s Wort Plant Background
Before buying St John’s wort, it helps to understand a little more about this pretty perennial
-
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, St John’s wort thrives in full sun to part shade
-
It reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide, with elongated oval leaves and clusters of bright yellow flowers from early summer to fall.
-
St John’s wort spreads rapidly by underground rhizomes and can become invasive if not controlled.
-
All parts of the plant, but especially the flowers, can be used medicinally as teas, tinctures, oils, or capsules when properly prepared.
-
Raw St John’s wort can cause photosensitivity, so care should be taken when handling the plant. Consult your doctor before using medicinally.
Now that you know the basics, let’s look at the best sources for purchasing this prized perennial.
Buying St John’s Wort Plants Online
Ordering St John’s wort plants from online sources is convenient and provides access to specific cultivars. Here are some reputable online sellers:
-
Specialty nurseries – Retail nurseries like Growers Exchange have good availability of potted St John’s wort plants that ship at the proper planting time.
-
Amazon – Search Amazon for St John’s wort and you’ll find options from third party nursery sellers. Prime shipping is available on some.
-
Etsy – Numerous small nurseries on Etsy offer potted St John’s wort plants, especially during spring and fall shipping seasons.
-
eBay – Potted plants and bare root divisions can both be found when you search eBay for St John’s wort.
When buying online, look for robust plants from sellers who package them well and guarantee live arrival.
Purchasing St John’s Wort Locally
You can also source St John’s wort plants from garden centers, nurseries, or other local sources in your area. Here are some places to check:
-
Independent nurseries – Local specialty nurseries often carry unique St John’s wort varieties along with tried-and-true favorites. Stop by and see what’s available.
-
Big box stores – While selection is limited, big stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot may carry a basic St John’s wort cultivar.
-
Farmers markets & swap meets – If you’re lucky, you may find St John’s wort divisions for sale by local gardeners at farmers markets or club swap meets.
-
Craigslist & Facebook Marketplace – Monitor these classified ads for gardeners or nurseries selling perennials like St John’s wort.
Buying plants locally allows you the benefit of seeing what you’re getting before purchasing.
What to Look for When Buying
To choose the best quality St John’s wort plants:
-
Select plants with healthy leaves – no holes, spots, yellowing, or brown edges.
-
Avoid rootbound plants whose roots are tightly circled or crowded.
-
Seek out varieties labeled as non-invasive cultivars for better control.
-
For potted plants, pick ones with vigorous growth and well-established roots.
-
Opt for bare root divisions that have multiple stems and leaf buds emerging.
Taking time to inspect plants before purchasing helps ensure you get healthy St John’s wort that will grow well.
When to Buy St John’s Wort Plants
Timing is important when buying St John’s wort:
-
Spring – Potted plants or bare root divisions are sold from March to June, which is the ideal planting window.
-
Summer – Established potted plants can sometimes be found at garden centers during early summer months.
-
Fall – Fall planting stock becomes available again starting in September through November.
Spring or fall purchasing allows for better plant establishment before heat, cold, or drought stresses set in. St John’s wort bought during peak summer should be planted immediately.
Types of St John’s Wort for Sale
There are several cultivars of St John’s wort to look for when buying plants:
-
‘Sunburst’ – Compact 12-18 inches tall with glossy leaves and masses of yellow blooms.
-
‘Golden Standard’ – Upright branchless stems make this a great landscape plant at 3-4 feet tall.
-
‘Glacier Blue’ – Unique blue-green foliage provides beautiful contrast to the bright flowers.
-
‘Orange Wonder’ – Produces yellow flowers followed by prominent orange-red seed pods.
-
‘Album’ – A white-flowered form that makes an excellent border edging plant.
Talk to sellers to see if specific cultivars you may want are available.
What Size St John’s Wort Plants to Buy
St John’s wort plants can be purchased in a few different sizes:
-
Small pots or bare root divisions – The most economical option, best for establishing larger patches over time.
-
1-2 quart potted plants – Offer quicker fill in but are more expensive than small starters.
-
3-5 gallon potted plants – Large plants provide instant impact and maximize first year blooms.
For most garden settings, opt for smaller pots or divisions to fill in over several seasons. Use larger plants for quicker results in beds, borders or as specimens.
Expected Price Range
When budgeting for St John’s wort plants, expect to see these average costs:
-
Small bare root divisions or starter pots: $5 – $12 each
-
1-2 quart potted plants: $15 – $30 each
-
Larger 3-5 gallon potted plants: $30 – $60 each
Bare root divisions are the most economic option, while potted plants provide convenience at a moderate price. Check for local nursery sales to save.
How to Plant and Care for St John’s Wort
Once you get your St John’s wort home, proper planting, care and containment will keep it thriving for years:
-
Prepare a sunny planting site with well-draining soil. Space plants 18-24 inches apart.
-
Set new plants at the same soil level they were growing in the nursery pot. Firm soil around the roots.
-
Water freshly planted St John’s wort daily for the first week, then gradually taper off to weekly watering.
-
Apply organic mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
-
Cut back any invasive spreading stems to keep the plant contained within its space.
With the right growing conditions and routine care, St John’s wort will flourish and brighten your garden with its cheery yellow blooms.
Enjoy the Benefits of St John’s Wort
With its bright flowers, easy care nature, medicinal benefits and wildlife appeal, it’s easy to see why gardeners seek out St John’s wort plants for sale. A patch of these perky perennials can beautify your landscape and provide herbal remedies. Get some growing this season and enjoy this versatile plant for years to come.
Types of St. Johns Wort Plants
Hypericum Calycinum: This is the best Groundcover Hypericum. Its not invasive and deer resistant. cIt remains evergreen throughout the winter and is very drought tolerant. It can be used in full sun areas. And into the part sun. It spreads through underground runners and develops a healthy root system. It can be cut down to the ground in the spring if the leaves start to look worn out after a harsh winter. It can reach 15 inches tall.
Hypericum Hidcote: St. Both Hypericum calycinum and Johns Wort Hidcote have big yellow flowers in May and June. However, Johns Wort Hidcote is 2 to 3 feet taller and has bigger flowers. The semi-evergreen leaves can form a low hedge as well as effective ground cover. It also flowers slightly later than Calycinum.
Hypericum Sunny Boulevard: Sunny Boulevard St. Johns Wort comes from North America and makes a great hedge, shrub border, or perennial garden plant. You may prune your Sunny Boulevard St. Johns Wort Shrub. It looks even more magnificent in its native, “wild” form. It is deer resistant and remains evergreen even though some of the harshest northern winters.
Hypericum Red Fame has bright yellow flowers in late spring and even brighter fire-engine red berries that look great with the oranges, maroons, and yellows of fall. The berries are often cut and used in floral arrangements. It also looks great in mixed containers on patios and decks.
When the Hypericum Pumpkin plant blooms in the spring, it has yellow flowers. In the fall, it has big clusters of bright orange berries. Also, perfect additions to cut autumn floral arrangements or planted in mixed containers.
Using Creeping St. Johns Wort in the Garden
St. Johns Wort plants can handle different amounts of sunlight, from full sun to part shade, and they are also thought to be able to handle drought. They produce hundreds of the famous star-shaped yellow flowers that butterflies and other pollinator insects adore. All Hypericum varieties are deer resistant, so they make great groundcovers where deer eat others. Hypericums also often grow in places where not many other plants have, like on hillsides or under trees, where they can compete well with the shallow tree roots.
Lots of business landscapes are starting to put Hypericum plants in tough spots like parking lots and sidewalk strips, where not much else will grow.
St Johns Wort groundcover Hypericum calycinum – pollinator friendly flowering evergreen groundcover
FAQ
Is St John’s wort hard to grow?
Does St John’s wort come back every year?
Can you grow St John’s wort at home?
Is St John’s Wort legal?