The greater celandine, Chelidonium majus, is a member of the poppy family, boasting yellow flowers and gray-green leaves. Indigenous to rocky slopes and woodlands across Europe and western Asia, these plants typically form clumps reaching heights of 12-24 inches. Loose clusters of yellow, 4-petaled flowers, each about an inch wide, grace the plant from May to August, succeeded by slender seed capsules up to 2 inches long, which split open when mature to disperse tiny seeds. Its lobed to deeply pinnatifid gray-green leaves, measuring 5-10 inches in length, adorn green stems. With a rich history of herbal and medicinal use, the greater celandine thrives in medium moisture, well-drained soils, ideally in partial to full shade, though it can tolerate full sun, especially in cooler climates. It's adaptable to various soil types, including poorer ones. Hardy in zones 4-8.

Growing Instructions

The seeds can be sown on the ground in the spring or fall or they can be grown in pots at any time of the year. They germinate best when planted in the shade.

1. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet.
2. Put the seeds on the soil.
3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
4. Water the seeds.
5. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in part shade or shade.
6. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.