Featuring a cheery yellow flower with prominent stamens in summer and autumn, the hypericum family contains more than 400 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees. No wonder these plants are popular, they are easy care and tolerant of a wide variety of climatic zones, soil types and light conditions. St Johns Wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is the most noted plant of this family and mainly grown for medicinal use.


How to grow Hypericum in a garden

  1. Choose a position in full sun with well drained soil.
  2. Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well. 
  3. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
  4. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well. 
  5. Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
  6. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
  7. During the growing and flowering season feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.

How to grow Hypericum in a pot

Choose a dwarf shrub variety suitable for pots.

  1. Choose a pot at least 250mm wide with adequate drainage holes. 
  2. Position in full sun.
  3. Fill the pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
  4. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
  5. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.
  6. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
  7. During the growing and flowering season, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. Throughout the year apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.

Growing tips

  • Pinch the tips of the new growth in spring to create a bushier habit. 

  • Some varieties available include:
    - Hypericum perforatum, (St Johns Wort) a herbaceous perennial with creeping rhizomes growing to 1 metre high.
    - Hypericum calycinum, a low growing, dense shrub - great for stabilising slopes.

  • There are a few pale pink varieties as well.

  • Can become weedy if left unattended. 

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Yates Premium Potting Mix

A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.