Sweet woodruff

Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.

Family: Rubiaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

flowers

Preparation

None stated. This record does not say any part is safe to eat. NC State's caution is about large amounts; people on blood thinners should ask a doctor.

Hazard type

NC State notes the flowers can have a blood-thinning effect if eaten in large amounts., NC State has no poison section for this plant.

Hazard route

ingestion (large amounts of flowers; blood-thinning effect per NC State)

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

None of our sources gives a verdict. Any plant can upset a pet's stomach; call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet eats a lot of it.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 4a to 8b (NC State).
Water needs: moist; water in dry summer spells to stop dormancy
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall and 1 to 2 feet wide (NC State)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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