Cultivating a Green Witch Garden: 10 Herbs and Flowers for Healing and Spellwork | GreenUpSide (2024)

This time of year it’s not uncommon to see kids (and adults) dressed up like the Wicked Witch of the West or their favorite member of the Hocus Pocus trio.

One of the most common Halloween tropes–along with ghosts and vampires–most of us think of warty-faced hags with beaked noses and broomsticks when it comes to witches.

But a more accurate portrayal of modern-day witchcraft might just be an average person harvesting flowers from their garden, or making a homemade salve with homegrown herbs.

Traditional witchcraft is steeped in herbalism and home remedies, so—surprise—if you grow your own herbs and use them medicinally, you might as well call yourself a witch!

Join 1000+ gardeners to get access to news, tips, and information.

Delivered right to your inbox – once per week.

Even if you’d rather not identify yourself with witchcraft, if you do prefer to take your health into your own hands you’ll enjoy this discussion about medicinal herbs and their uses in herbalism and spellwork. (Which is really just about directing and focusing your own energy on a particular outcome, right?)

As with any garden, a green witch’s garden will be unique to the grower who cultivates it but is more likely than not to include some combination of nettle, yarrow, calendula, comfrey, foxglove, thyme, hyssop, sage, rosemary, and of course, mugwort.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of designing and planting your own witchy garden, where medicinal herbs and enchanting flowers come together to create a space of healing, intention, and manifestation.

What is a green witch garden?

The concept of a “green witch” garden is rooted in the historical association between witchcraft and herbalism. Traditional witches often used plants, herbs, and flowers in their practices for healing, spellwork, divination, and protection.

At its simplest, a green witch is a person deeply connected to nature. The green witch uses herbs to heal and vegetables to nourish, and her garden is any garden that features edible plants, medicinal herbs, and, of course, flowers.

Edible and medicinal plants

A witchy garden often includes a combination of edible plants, medicinal herbs, and flowers that hold specific magical properties or associations. It may also incorporate other elements such as crystals, natural artifacts including feathers and bones, and other features like altars and pathways that enhance a magical atmosphere.

A green witch’s garden is a fertile space that is intentionally designed and cultivated with the purpose of connecting with nature, harnessing magical energies, and fostering a sense of enchantment and wonder. It is a space where witches and practitioners of witchcraft can cultivate plants, herbs, and flowers that have spiritual, medicinal, or symbolic significance.

Appropriate plants for your hardiness zone

As with any garden, the first consideration is your climate. Choose plants that will thrive in your hardiness zone, and situate plants in the correct soil type and location to receive the right amount of sun.

The following herbs are specifically associated with healing and spellwork, and some of them are herbs I’d recommend for your culinary herb garden. But you don’t have to grow all of these herbs to have a green witch’s garden—you don’t have to grow any of them at all, actually. Grow the plants that you are drawn to, that you will personally use and enjoy—and that’s witchy enough.

10 essential plants for the green witch

One disclaimer, before we begin: it’s important to note that while the following herbs have many potential benefits, it’s always wise to consult with a healthcare professional before using any of these plants for medicinal purposes–especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

1. Nettle

Rich in essential vitamins and nutrients, nettle is most often brewed into tea and taken internally. Nettle improves blood circulation and nettle can also be used to treat kidney stones and urinary tract infections. A natural anti-inflammatory, nettle salve can be used to alleviate everything from seasonal allergies to arthritis to acne.

In spellwork, nettle has historically been used for protection and purification, as well as to attract courage and prosperity.

2. Yarrow

Yarrow is well known for its medicinal uses. A natural astringent and antibacterial, yarrow can be used to stop bleeding and clean wounds. The herb’s diaphoretic properties make it an excellent natural fever-reducer. When brewed into tea and ingested, yarrow is known to soothe menstrual cramps, upset stomachs, coughs, and congestion.

In traditional witchcraft, yarrow was used in divination practices and in love spells. Dried yarrow could be carried in an amulet to protect against negative energy, and was also used in ritual offerings.

3. Calendula

Just as beautiful as it is hardy, calendula adds more than aesthetic value to any green witch’s garden. The daisy-petaled flowers are edible and have a slightly bitter, slightly peppery taste akin to dandelion greens.

Both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, calendula salve is commonly used topically to heal wounds and skin ailments, including sunburn and insect bites. Calendula can also be brewed in tea and taken internally for upset stomachs and menstrual cramps.

For the spellworker, calendula is a common ingredient in love and protection charms, and can also be used in divination practices.

4. Comfrey

A longtime cure-all for wound and bone healing, recent studies on comfrey have rendered the herb unsafe for consumption, so use comfrey at your own risk.

Herbalists use comfrey poultices and salves to aid in the healing of bone fractures and breaks. Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance responsible for cell and tissue regeneration.

Comfrey’s other topical uses include easing skin irritation caused by eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Comfrey’s astringent properties help to shrink blood vessels, reducing the appearance of varicose veins and the discomfort of hemorrhoids.

Comfrey is associated with the spirit realm, so practitioners often use comfrey to commune with ancestors and spirit guides. Comfrey’s association with good luck makes it a foundational ingredient in prosperity and transformation spellwork.

5. Foxglove

A hauntingly beautiful plant, foxglove is poisonous and extra caution must be taken when growing this plant in your witch garden.

Although there are risks associated with ingesting foxglove, it has been used to treat certain heart conditions—including arrhythmia and congestive heart failure—but only under the guidance of a licensed medical professional. Self-administering or using foxglove without proper supervision can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

In witchcraft, foxglove was traditionally used to enhance protective charms, transformation rituals, and for divination and psychic work.

6. Thyme

An aromatic and flavorful culinary herb, thyme has medicinal effects, too—notably, easing discomfort caused by indigestion. Thyme’s antimicrobial and antifungal properties make it an excellent ingredient in topical poultices and salves for wound healing. Dried thyme can be brewed into tea, and fresh thyme can be distilled into oil or steam inhalations for respiratory support.

Due to its potent medicinal qualities, thyme is used in purification and protection spells, though it can also be used to attract love, attraction, and harmony.

7. Hyssop

A fragrant and medicinal member of the mint family, hyssop is well-documented in the Bible and other ancient texts for its cleansing properties, particularly related to respiratory and digestive health.

In spellwork, hyssop can be used to reduce anxiety and promote overall emotional well-being.

8. Sage

Common sage has no shortage of medicinal benefits and is used equally often as a culinary spice to add an earthy flavor to dishes. Antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, sage is commonly used as a digestive aid to relieve indigestion and bloating prepared as a gargle to soothe sore throats, and ground into a poultice to treat minor wounds, cuts, and abrasions.

Sage has also been proven to improve cognitive function and memory and to relieve menstrual cramps.

The token herb for purification and protection rituals, burning sage is believed to cleanse the home and immediate area of negative energy and evil spirits. Sage is equally effective at attracting positive energy, wisdom, and mental clarity.

9. Rosemary

A staple in the herbalist’s (and witch’s) medicine cabinet, there’s not much that rosemary isn’t good for. The aromatic culinary herb adds a woody flavor to any dish, but the spice isn’t without medicinal benefit, too—rosemary is a folk remedy for everything from headaches and muscle pain to relieved stress and improved memory. Dried rosemary is most commonly taken internally via tea or capsule, but it can also distilled into essential oils and applied topical or diffused.

Due to its medicinal properties, rosemary is used in purification spells and general healing, but the herb’s aphrodisiac properties make it equally suitable for love potions.

10. Mugwort

Traditionally used for dream and sleep enhancement, mugwort also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can be used to ease digestive issues and menstrual cramps. Mugwort is typically brewed into tea and taken internally, but can also be applied topically to alleviate rashes and skin irritations. Mugwort has also been touted as a cure for intestinal parasites, including tapeworm, in animals and humans.

In traditional witchcraft practice, mugwort is used in protective charms, since the herb has an affinity for warding off negative energy. Mugwort is also used in cleansing and purification work, and its association with the subconscious makes it a useful herb for divination and psychic work.

Enjoying the magic of your witchy garden

Creating a green witch garden allows practitioners to directly connect with the natural world, work with plant energies, and embrace the cyclical nature of the seasons. It can serve as a peaceful sanctuary, a place for personal growth and reflection, and a source of inspiration for magical rituals and spells.

Whether you consider yourself a seasoned witch or are simply drawn to the magical energies of nature, creating a green witch garden can be a beautiful and meaningful way to deepen your connection to the natural world and explore your own magical journey.

Are you a green witch or a herbalist? I’ll leave it to you to decide. Happy Halloween!

To find books, courses, seeds, gardening supplies, and more, check out The Shop at Greenupside!

About the author:
When not writing content or growing flowers in her native Virginia, you can find Sarah hiking a long-distance trail deep in the woods. Follow along with Sarah’s adventures at http://sarahcolliecreative.com.