Galium album
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Galium album

Galium Album

ON THIS PLANT

Galium album, the white bedstraw or hedge bedstraw, is a herbaceous annual plant of the family Rubiaceae.

A note from PlantMom

White bedstraw is fairly resistant to disease and typically does not suffer from many illnesses. Still, it can be affected by pests and diseases found in the surrounding area. Such infections are generally mild. Regarding care, the plant needs moderate maintenance. It should be pruned regularly to preserve a neat appearance and support healthy growth. Applying fertilizer can also encourage flowering. White bedstraw is appropriate for anyone with outdoor space, like a garden or patio, and does not demand extensive gardening experience. It may, however, require greater attention if cultivated indoors.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Galium Album.

Light

White bedstraw requires plenty of sunlight to grow healthily. Native to places with abundant light, the plant generally does well when it gets ample sun. However, too little light can lead to poor development, while too much sun may damage the plant.

Water

White bedstraw flourishes in moderately moist soil and needs weekly watering to stay healthy. This outdoor plant, native to temperate regions, benefits greatly from natural rainfall, which is essential for its growth and flowering during its active season.

Temperature

White bedstraw originates from temperate areas and is adapted to temperatures from 32 to 95°F (0 to 35℃). It favors cooler climates. In hotter periods, consider providing shade to recreate its naturally cooler habitat.

Fertilizer

Usually a single fertilizer application in spring is enough for White bedstraw, although multiple feedings can maximize its growth. Feed it once every month to a month and a half. Fertilization improves the leaves’ appearance and function, promoting uniform color and a healthy texture. It also encourages root growth and enhances nutrient absorption, supporting the plant’s long-term health.

Pruning

White bedstraw thrives with periodic pruning, which helps manage dense growth and enhances flowering. Trimming in early spring improves air circulation, while light pruning in late spring encourages blooms. Regular pinching keeps the plant compact, prevents it from becoming leggy, and controls its spread, all of which maintain garden aesthetics and promote plant health.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Galium
Family
Rubiaceae
Hardiness Zone
3-9
Mature Height
30 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
20 cm to 49 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.25 cm to 0.51 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Hedge Bedstraw en White bedstraw en Upright hedge bedstraw en Baltā Madara (LVL) ru Підмаренник білий
FREQUENTLY ASKED

Reader questions.

How should I water my White bedstraw plant?

To properly water the White bedstraw, it is recommended to use filtered water at room temperature. Tap water may contain harmful particles, so filtered water is the safer option. The White bedstraw is accustomed to a warm environment, so it is best to avoid cold water as it can potentially shock the plant. Overhead watering should also be avoided to prevent foliage problems. Instead, the filtered room temperature water should be applied directly to the soil until it is thoroughly soaked. This method benefits the plant by moistening the roots and promoting their spread through the soil to gather necessary nutrients.

Why should I put fertilizer on my White bedstraw plant?

Fertilizing your White bedstraw is crucial for both the appearance and functionality of its leaves. Proper fertilization ensures consistent color and healthy texture of the leaves. Additionally, fertilization promotes root growth and enhances nutrient absorption, leading to an overall healthier plant. By fertilizing your White bedstraw, you not only help it thrive immediately but also ensure its long-term health and ability to obtain nutrients from the soil.

What are the sunlight requirements for White bedstraw?

White bedstraw requires full sun, defined as more than 6 hours of sunlight daily, to thrive healthily. It originates from environments with abundant sunlight, resulting in optimal growth under these conditions. However, it's essential to monitor the plant's exposure to sunlight carefully. Too little sunlight can lead to poor development, while too much sunlight can harm the plant. Observing how sunlight moves through your garden and selecting locations that offer a balanced blend of light and shade is crucial for the plant's well-being.

What is White bedstraw's native climate and how does it affect its care?

White bedstraw is native to temperate regions, thriving in temperatures between 32 to 95°F (0 to 35°C), indicating a preference for cooler climates. To care for it properly, especially in hotter seasons, providing shade can help mimic its natural, cooler habitat. Its strong cold resistance means it usually doesn't require special frost protection measures during winter. However, for winter temperatures expected to drop below -35°C, cold protection should be considered by covering the plant with soil or straw. Additionally, watering the plant abundantly before the first freeze in autumn, ensuring the soil remains moist as it enters a frozen state, helps prevent drought and water scarcity during winter and early spring.

What should I do if I give my White bedstraw too much or too little water?

Overwatering and underwatering can both harm the health of your White bedstraw, but overwatering is more common. If your plant gets too much water, its stems and leaves may become wilted and turn yellow. Overwatering for a long time can also cause diseases like root rot, mold, and mildew, which can kill your plant. Underwatering is less likely for the White bedstraw because it can tolerate drought. But if it happens, you'll notice that the leaves become dry and brown. It's important to recognize the signs of overwatering early. Some of the diseases caused by overwatering, like root rot, can't be fixed if you wait too long. If you see early signs of overwatering, reduce your watering right away. Also, check the soil quality where your White bedstraw grows. If the soil drains poorly, replace it with a loose, well-draining potting mix. If you see signs of underwatering, simply water more regularly until the signs go away.

When should I fertilize my White bedstraw?

To properly care for your outdoor White bedstraw each year, pay attention to the emergence of new growth in early spring. This signals that it is time to start fertilizing for the year. Usually, a single application of fertilizer in spring will suffice for a healthy White bedstraw. However, if you want to promote maximum growth, you can choose to fertilize multiple times throughout the spring and early summer. In this case, feed your White bedstraw approximately once every month to a month and a half.

How can artificial lighting be used for White bedstraw indoors?

When natural sunlight is insufficient, particularly during winter or in less sunny spaces, artificial lighting becomes essential for the growth of indoor White bedstraw plants. LED lights are recommended because they can be tailored to provide the specific wavelengths needed by the plants. The recommended artificial light intensity varies based on the plant's sunlight needs: full sun plants should receive 30-50W per square foot, partial sun plants 20-30W, and full shade plants 10-20W. The artificial light source should be placed 12-36 inches above the plant to mimic natural sunlight as closely as possible. Additionally, most plants benefit from 8-12 hours of light per day, mimicking natural daylight hours.

How does White bedstraw handle low temperature conditions?

White bedstraw is exceptionally cold-tolerant, thriving best when temperatures remain above 0°C and should ideally be kept above -30°C during winter. If temperatures fall below -35°C, you might not notice immediate changes during the winter, but there could be a decrease in sprouting or even complete lack of sprouting in the spring. To manage this, remove any parts of the plant that have failed to sprout come spring.

How often do I need to water my White bedstraw?

If your White bedstraw plant is in a pot, the best way to determine if it needs water is to check the soil. Simply stick your finger into the soil and if the top two to three inches are dry, it's time to water. If you have planted your White bedstraw outdoors in the ground, you can use the same method to test the soil. Once again, if the top few inches of soil are dry, it's time to water. Typically, during the spring and early fall, you will need to water this plant about once a week using this method. However, during very hot weather, you may need to water it twice a week or more frequently. Nonetheless, mature and well-established White bedstraw plants have an impressive ability to withstand drought.

When is it not a good idea to put fertilizer on my White bedstraw?

During the late fall and winter, the White bedstraw goes into a dormant phase, ceasing new growth. So, it's best not to fertilize it during this time. In the spring and summer, you can fertilize multiple times, but as summer approaches, reduce the rate of fertilization because the growth rate of the White bedstraw will slow down. It's never a good idea to fertilize the White bedstraw during really hot weather or when the soil is excessively dry. Doing so could stress the plant and cause it to die earlier.

What are the signs of inadequate lighting for White bedstraw?

White bedstraw shows several symptoms when it's not getting enough light. These symptoms include smaller new leaves, leggy or sparse growth, premature leaf drop, slower or halted growth, and the development of lighter-colored new leaves. Such signs indicate that the plant is struggling with light deficiency, affecting its overall health and development.

What should I do if White bedstraw experiences high temperatures?

During summer, it's crucial to ensure White bedstraw's temperatures remain below 35°C. Exceeding 38°C can lead to the leaves becoming lighter in color, prone to curling, and susceptible to sunburn, potentially causing the entire plant to wilt and dry. To combat this, trim away any sunburned and dried-up parts of the plant. Moving the plant to provide shade during the midday and afternoon sun, or using a shade cloth, can offer protection. Additionally, watering the plant in the morning and evening helps keep the soil moist and supports plant health under high temperature conditions.

PLATES
Galium album leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Galium album leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Galium album flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Galium album flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Galium album fruit
PLATE 05 · fruit
Galium album fruit
PLATE 06 · fruit
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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