Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This darling plant has a compact stature, spreading tendency, and abundant white blooms, making it a lovely and effective ground cover. Sweet Woodruff has delicate green foliage and star-shaped white flowers on branched stems. Galium odoratum blooms during May and June, and the foliage stays in place after the flowers fade.
Plant Sweet Woodruff near a patio or outdoor space so you can enjoy the fragrant foliage. This shade-loving plant thrives in beds or borders. Feature this beauty under a tree or tall shrub or on the shady side of a shed or building. This plant spreads and has a mat-forming growth habit. Grow Sweet Woodruff as a perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Sweet Woodruff Care
Full to partial sun is necessary for Sweet Woodruff. This plant can handle various soil types, but it prefers moist soil that promotes drainage and has a slightly acidic pH. Sweet Woodruff likes damp conditions, so while this plant can handle drying out, routinely water for healthy flower production and growth. This plant is not a heavy feeder and will grow very well without help, but applying balanced fertilizer in the spring will help this plant start the growing season strong.
Remove damaged growth as needed. All growth will die after the first frost. Dead growth can be removed in the late fall or early spring.
Sweet Woodruff Spacing
This spreading perennial will grow 6 to 8 inches tall and 15 to 18 inches wide. Plants can be spaced 15 to 18 inches apart to create a lush planting.
Sweet Woodruff Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-11 Inches
- Mature Spread
- 1 Foot
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sweet Woodruff
- Botanical Name
- GALIUM ODORATUM - SWEET WOODRUFF
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!