Photo: Elena_SherehoraCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Corn Salad Plant Care
Valeriana locusta L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its feathery leaves that resemble delicate lace. Originating from the Mediterranean region, it is highly sought after by plant collectors for its strong, sweet fragrance and medicinal properties.
Every 3–5 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Corn Salad?
Water Corn Salad every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Corn Salad Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
What Is the Corn Salad?
Corn Salad (Valeriana locusta) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Valeriana genus. Corn Salad is native to Europe, western Asia and north Africa. Corn Salad is also known as Lamb's Lettuce, Mache, Winter Purslane.
Corn Salad displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Corn Salad produces small fragrant white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Corn Salad?
Valeriana locusta requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Corn Salad Need?
Corn Salad thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Corn Salad Prefer?
Valeriana locusta grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Corn Salad prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Corn Salad?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Corn Salad to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Corn Salad?
Feed Corn Salad every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Corn Salad?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Corn Salad?
Corn Salad can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to valerian plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Corn Salad Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Corn Salad, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Corn Salad?
Corn Salad is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Corn Salad Need?
Corn Salad grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Corn Salad is native to Europe, western Asia and north Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Corn Salad is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Valeriana genus — compare its care with other Valeriana species on PlantoScan.
Valeriana is part of the Caprifoliaceae plant family — browse all Caprifoliaceae genera and species.
Corn Salad thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Valeriana locusta L., family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 33 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Corn Salad, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Elena_Sherehora, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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