Herbs · Everyday herb

Chickweed

Stellaria media · also called Starwort · planet: Moon

A sprawling, tender green weed with tiny white star flowers that appears in cool weather almost anywhere.

In the garden

Part shade and moist soil. It thrives in the cold months and can be left under fruit trees as ground cover.

In the kitchen

Eat the young tips raw in salads or sandwiches, or stir into soups at the end of cooking.

Take care

• Pick only from clean places that have never been sprayed.
• Check you have the right plant: chickweed has a single line of hairs along its stem. Scarlet pimpernel is a toxic look-alike without that line.
• Eat sparingly if new to it.

Folklore and garden information only, not medical advice. Do not eat or use any plant unless you are certain what it is and that it is safe for you. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, on medicine, or choosing for children or pets.

Where to buy

Dried herb

• Mountain Rose Herbs Organic dried herbs and botanicals.
• Starwest Botanicals Bulk dried herbs, spices and teas.

Seeds

• Botanical Interests Seed packets for herb and flower gardens.
• Burpee Seeds and young plants.
• Park Seed Seeds and live plants. Search for the herb once you are on their site.

Live plants

• Burpee Seeds and young plants.
• Park Seed Seeds and live plants. Search for the herb once you are on their site.

These links go to the seller websites themselves. We are not paid for them.