The real arnica (Arnica montana) has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries and is also popularly known by names such as mountain welfare rental, mountain marigold, angel herb and wound herb. Due to possible poisoning, home-grown arnica should only be used for external applications.
Arnica also propagates itself from seeds
Where to get arnica seeds
In the garden, cultivating arnica is not only worthwhile when used as a natural remedy, but also because of the attractive, yellow flowers. At suitable locations, arnica is occasionally carried in seed form by itself with the wind or in the fur of animals. You should refrain from collecting the seeds of the legally protected real arnica in the wild. You can find appropriate seeds in specialist shops, which are also tested for germination. But pay close attention to the variety you want: In the meantime, numerous subspecies with optically and medically different key data have been bred for commercial cultivation and for cultivation in the garden.
Choose the right location
Choosing the right location is very important for the cultivation of arnica in the garden to be successful at all. Although the arnica does not make excessive demands on the soil, the plant does not get along well with every terrain. For example, the following conditions should prevail at the ideal location for the arnica:
- rather acidic soil environment (not too calcareous)
- no waterlogging, but sufficiently moist
- sunny to semi-shady
However, you should be aware that the flowers can only be harvested about three years after sowing. If you have a rather calcareous soil in the garden, then the arnica can alternatively be cultivated in a planter. Older specimens are usually less sensitive than young arnica plants and can sometimes be successfully transplanted into less acidic soil.
Prefer arnica indoors or sow directly outdoors
You can sow the arnica directly outdoors from May or distribute the seeds in a suitable location in the garden in autumn. In this case, however, you should make sure that the young plants are not crowded out by fast-growing weeds. The preculture on the windowsill in the house is possible from February. In both cases, the seeds should not be covered with substrate if possible, as they germinate in the light.
tips
Arnica usually achieves better germination rates if the seeds are stratified before sowing. Since sowing outdoors in autumn can be associated with certain difficulties, stratifying (mixed with moist sand) in the refrigerator for about 6 weeks at around 4 degrees Celsius before growing indoors is a good idea.