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Sweet Woodruff

What is sweet woodruff?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Galium odoratum[1]
Common names sweet woodruff; bedstraw; sweetscented bedstraw[2]
Plant type flowering herbaceous perennial[3]
Height 40 cm / 6–12 in[1]
Flower color white[5]
Light preference partial to full shade[4]

Sweet woodruff is a flowering perennial plant in the genus *Galium*, commonly grown as a shade groundcover and known for its sweet-smelling foliage and small white flowers.

Context

Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a flowering perennial plant in the genus Galium, commonly grown as a shade groundcover and known for its sweet-smelling foliage and small white flowers [1]. It is a herbaceous perennial that spreads by creeping rhizomes [3]. It typically grows to about 40 cm tall and produces white flowers in spring [1]. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil [4]. The foliage is fragrant, especially when dried or crushed [6]. It is sometimes used in potpourri [6]. It is native to much of Europe, as well as parts of Asia and North Africa [3]. It is commonly confused with sweetscented bedstraw and Asperula odorata [2].

Documented claims

  • Sweet woodruff is used as a groundcover in shady gardens. [4]
  • Its foliage is fragrant, especially when dried or crushed. [6]
  • It produces small white flowers in spring or late spring. [6]
  • It spreads by rhizomes. [5]

Questions and answers

Where is the best place to plant sweet woodruff?

Sweet woodruff grows best in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil [4].

How fast does sweet woodruff grow?

Sweet woodruff spreads by rhizomes and can form a dense groundcover over time [5].

What is sweet woodruff good for?

Sweet woodruff is used as a groundcover in shady gardens and its dried foliage is sometimes used in potpourri [4] [6].

Sources

  1. Sweet Woodruff, Galium odoratum - Wisconsin Horticulture — hort.extension.wisc.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Sweet Woodruff in the Garden and the Kitchen — extension.psu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Galium odoratum (Sweet Scented Bed Straw, Sweet Woodruff) — plants.ces.ncsu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Sweet Woodruff: Attractive Groundcover for Shady Gardens — extension.sdstate.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Sweet Woodruff: Shade-Loving Groundcover and Aromatic Herb — bbg.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  6. Asperula odorata Sweet Woodruff, Sweetscented bedstraw ... - PFAF — pfaf.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things