St. John's wort

St John's wort needs regular watering in order to thrive. To ensure that the plant is healthy and blooming, it should be watered when the top inch of soil has dried out. For maintenance, give it about 1 inch of water each week, allowing the soil to dry in between. If the soil becomes saturated, ensure to give the plant a few days of dry soil for proper drainage. Additionally, make sure to water St John's wort in the morning instead of during the evening, as watering too late in the day can invite mildew and fungal problems. Finally, always use lukewarm water as the cold water could shock the plant.

St. John's wort (Hypericum inodorum 'Elstead') prefers full sun to partial shade and will do best when placed in an area with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the spring and summer months, St. John's wort should be exposed to full sun for at least 3-4 hours per day. In winter, the amount of direct sunlight can be reduced to 2-3 hours of exposure. Avoiding periods of extreme temperatures and high winds will also help the plant thrive.

St. John's wort (Hypericum inodorum 'Elstead') should generally be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before or as new growth begins to appear. Light pruning throughout the growing season may be necessary to encourage a more bushy and compact habit, but the majority of pruning should take place in the late winter or early spring months. To prune St. John's wort, simply remove any dead, damaged or misshapen stems, cut back spent flower stems and thin out any overcrowded stems. When pruning, make sure to sterilize your cutting tools in rubbing alcohol to avoid the spread of potential plant diseases.