Great Yellow Gentian Seeds (Gentiana lutea) produce a stunning and highly prized perennial herb known for its tall, spiky clusters of golden-yellow flowers. Native to European mountain areas, this extraordinary wildflower has long been valued for its use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly its bitter roots.

With its dramatic floral spikes reaching up to 3–6 feet once fully mature, Great Yellow Gentian is ideal for naturalistic or alpine-style gardens, herbal landscapes, and meadows. This slow-growing treasure is a perfect addition for patient gardeners seeking a unique, long-lived plant with ornamental value and herbal appeal.

Once established, Gentiana lutea delivers decades of beauty, attracting pollinators while holding its own in well-drained, sunny to partially shaded environments. A rare and rewarding herbaceous addition for gardeners with a love for ancient medicinal plants.

Features

• Tall, golden-yellow flower clusters with striking form
• Long-lived perennial herb with medicinal roots
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial wildlife
• Thrives in full sun to partial shade
• Suitable for wildflower meadows and alpine gardens
• Non-GMO seeds with excellent viability
• Well-known for bitter compounds used in herbal tonics

Specifications

• Seed Type: Great Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea)
• Common Name: Yellow Gentian, Bitter Root
• Plant Type: Perennial Herb
• Plant Height: 36 – 72 inches
• Zones: USDA Zones 3–8
• Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil; prefers alkaline soil
• Germination Time: 20 – 40 days, may require stratification
• Days to Maturity: 3 – 4 years to flower
• GMO Status: Non-GMO
• Season: Spring or fall planting
• Planting Depth: Sow on soil surface or lightly cover (1/16 inch)
• Spacing: 18 – 24 inches apart
• Optimal Temperature: 60°F to 70°F (15°C to 21°C)
• Watering: Moderate; avoid waterlogged conditions
• Companion Plants: Edelweiss, Yarrow, Lavender, Coneflower
• Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
• Wildlife Support: Pollinator-friendly
• Uses: Medicinal herb, ornamental, pollinator garden
• Storage: Keep seeds in a cool, dry place until planting

Planting Guide

• Cold Stratification: Recommended – refrigerate seeds for 4–6 weeks before planting.
• Sow Outdoors: Surface sow seeds in fall for natural stratification or in early spring.
• Soil Prep: Plant in well-drained soil with partial shade or sun.
• Care: Water moderately; mulch to protect young plants in winter.
• Growth: Patient gardeners will be rewarded with blooms in year 3–4.