Goats Rue Plant Care

Goats Rue (Galega officinalis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Galega genus. Goats Rue is native to parts of northern Africa, western Asia and Europe. Goats Rue is also known as French Lilac, Professor-weed.

Goats Rue displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Goats Rue produces showy spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Goats Rue every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Goats Rue thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Galega officinalis tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Goats Rue prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Goats Rue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Goats Rue every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Goats Rue is suited to USDA Zone 13a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Goats Rue can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Goats Rue while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Goats Rue is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Goats Rue can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to eastern galega plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Goats Rue is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Goats Rue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Goats Rue is native to parts of northern Africa, western Asia and Europe. In cooler regions, grow Goats Rue as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.