Harvest guide
When to harvest perforate st john's-wort
How to harvest perforate st john's-wort
Pinch or snip just above a leaf pair or node, which pushes the plant to branch into two shoots. Take no more than about a third at once, and pick from the outer or older growth first.
Storing your harvest
Use fresh where you can. Otherwise stand cut stems in a glass of water on the counter, or wrap loosely in a damp cloth in the fridge for a few days. Freezing in oil holds flavour far better than drying for most soft-leaved kinds.
The mistake to avoid
Stripping perforate st john's-wort bare in one go, or letting it flower unchecked. Both stall regrowth, and flowering in particular turns the leaves bitter.
More perforate st john's-wort care
- When to harvest st. john's wort — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full perforate st john's-wort care guide
- How to prune perforate st john's-wort
- How to propagate perforate st john's-wort
- Growing perforate st john's-wort in a pot
- How to overwinter perforate st john's-wort
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Harvesting perforate st john's-wort — FAQ
When is perforate st john's-wort ready to harvest?
Once the plant is established and bushy — start light and increase as it fills out. Perforate St John's-wort is harvested for its leaves, and it responds to being picked — regular cutting keeps it producing tender new growth, while a plant left alone gets leggy, flowers, and turns bitter. Take from the outside or the top depending on how it grows, and never strip it: leave enough leaf behind for the plant to power its regrowth.
How do you harvest perforate st john's-wort?
Pinch or snip just above a leaf pair or node, which pushes the plant to branch into two shoots. Take no more than about a third at once, and pick from the outer or older growth first.
How do you store perforate st john's-wort after harvesting?
Use fresh where you can. Otherwise stand cut stems in a glass of water on the counter, or wrap loosely in a damp cloth in the fridge for a few days. Freezing in oil holds flavour far better than drying for most soft-leaved kinds.
What is the most common perforate st john's-wort harvesting mistake?
Stripping perforate st john's-wort bare in one go, or letting it flower unchecked. Both stall regrowth, and flowering in particular turns the leaves bitter.