The real arnica (Arnica montana) has been used in natural medicine for centuries, so that collecting the flowers over the centuries has almost led to the extinction of many stocks. Although the wild variety is still difficult to use for commercial cultivation, it can be a pretty ornament in the private garden.

Arnica is a low-maintenance plant for the garden

The commercial cultivation of arnica

In earlier centuries, the healing properties of arnica were overestimated, while the toxic effects of certain ingredients were ignored. Nowadays, arnica is no longer officially approved for internal use and should no longer be used to prepare teas due to its danger. However, there are several symptoms that aqueous extracts and tinctures made from the collected arnica flowers are used to relieve:

  • bruises
  • rheumatic complaints
  • gout
  • bruises
  • Injuries below the unbroken skin

Therefore, new varieties for commercial cultivation have been bred locally in recent years to replace the imports of flowers from ecologically questionable wild collections abroad.

A plant with low demands

The real arnica does not have particularly high demands, but it is also not easy to settle everywhere. Although it is considered a mountain plant due to its occurrence at altitudes of up to 2,800 m, it also grows satisfactorily in valley areas that are not too cold and dry. In nature, arnica plants are often found in sparse forests and unfertilized meadows, sometimes confusing them with neighboring plants that look similar. Arnica seeds have small umbrellas, similar to dandelion seeds, which allow them to spread with the wind or via wild animals. As light germinators, they should not be covered with soil, but can be secured against drifting with some hay or lawn clippings.

Choosing the perfect location for the arnica in the garden

Arnica does not make high demands on the soil, but tolerates waterlogging and calcareous soil very poorly. If necessary, you must therefore help with a little peat to have a slightly acidic soil environment ready for the arnica in the pot or in the bed. Poor soils should not and must not be fertilized. Choose a location that is as sunny or as partially shaded as possible. Since the arnica usually only flowers in the third year, you should plan the plant carefully in the appearance of the garden.

tips

For some allergy sufferers, growing arnica in the garden can be tricky as the plant can cause blistering rashes.

Category:

Herbs