Wall Rue Care

Common rue is very drought tolerant and is a good candidate for a xeriscape or rock garden. Do not irrigate rue, except for periods of extensive dry weather.

Rue is a woody perennial that flowers in late spring on fresh, new wood, so the standard practice is to trim the stems down to old wood in early spring, before new growth begins. Old, woody plants benefit from especially hard pruning.

Do not fertilize rue plants. Excess nutrients will cause the plants to produce more foliage at the expense of the flowers.

Rue flowers grow best in full sun, but part shade is also tolerated. Plants will produce fewer flowers in the shade

Good, fast drainage is important for healthy rue plants. Add sand, perlite, or vermiculite to the soil to help drainage. Use raised beds with prepared soil in gardens where heavy clay dominates.

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase

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