Deer's Tongue

What you'll need:

Deer's Tongue seeds or young plants (you can find them at native plant nurseries or online)

A pot or an area in your garden with well-draining soil

Regular gardening soil or sandy soil mix (Deer's Tongue prefers sandy, loose soil)

When to start:

Deer’s Tongue is a hardy plant that thrives in warm weather. The best time to plant it is during the spring or early summer when the risk of frost has passed. If you're starting from seeds, begin indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost.

Choosing the right spot:

Deer's Tongue loves sunlight but can also handle partial shade. Ideally, pick a place where it will get at least 4-6 hours of sunlight each day. If planting in pots, make sure they have drainage holes so water doesn’t sit around the roots.

Tip: If you live in an area with heavy clay soil, mix in some sand to improve drainage.

If you have seeds:

1. Fill small pots or seed trays with moist soil (a mix of regular soil and sand works well).
2. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and lightly press them down. Don’t bury them too deep—just cover them with a thin layer of soil.
3. Water gently to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
4. Place the pots in a sunny, warm spot (around 70°F/21°C is ideal).
5. Seeds should sprout within 2-3 weeks.
6. Once the seedlings are a few inches tall and have several leaves, they’re ready to be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the garden.

If you have seedlings:

1. Dig a hole in the ground or pot that’s slightly bigger than the root ball of the seedling.
2. Gently place the plant in the hole, making sure the roots are spread out and covered with soil.
3. Lightly press the soil around the base of the plant and water it immediately after planting.

Spacing tip: If planting multiple Deer's Tongue plants, leave about 12-18 inches between each one so they have enough room to grow.

Watering:

• Deer's Tongue is quite drought-tolerant once established, but while it’s young, keep the soil slightly moist (but not soaking wet).
• In hot weather, water every 2-3 days; in cooler weather, water once a week should be enough.
• Always check the soil by touching it—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.

Sunlight needs:

• This plant enjoys full sun to partial shade. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
• If you notice the leaves looking a bit pale or droopy, it might need more sun.

Fertilizing:

• Deer's Tongue doesn’t require heavy fertilization. You can give it a light feeding once or twice during the growing season using a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
• Too much fertilizer can actually harm this plant, so err on the side of caution.

Pruning:

• Occasionally trim back any dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth.
• If the plant starts getting leggy (tall and sparse), you can pinch back the tips to promote bushier growth.

Pest control:

• Deer's Tongue is relatively pest-resistant, but if you see bugs, simply rinse the leaves with water or use a mild insecticidal soap.

When to harvest:

• Deer's Tongue produces fragrant flowers, typically in late spring to early summer. These flowers are what most people "harvest" for their scent or to dry for potpourri.
• You can also collect seeds from the dried flower heads after blooming if you want to propagate more plants.

How to harvest flowers:

• Cut the flower stems early in the morning when the blooms are freshest.
• Use clean scissors or pruning shears to snip off the flower heads.
• Be gentle with the plant as you cut, leaving enough foliage to keep it healthy.

Drying the flowers:

• Hang the flowers upside down in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.
• Once completely dry, you can use them in sachets, potpourri, or as natural air fresheners.

End-of-season care:

• After flowering, you can let the plant rest. It may die back slightly in winter, but it should regrow in the next spring if conditions are right.

Q: How often should I water Deer's Tongue?

A: While it’s getting established, water every 2-3 days. Once mature, it becomes more drought-tolerant, so you can reduce watering to once a week unless the weather is very hot and dry.

Q: Can Deer's Tongue survive frost?

A: Deer's Tongue is somewhat cold-hardy, but heavy frost may damage it. If you expect a freeze, consider covering the plant with a cloth or bringing potted plants indoors temporarily.

Q: My plant isn’t flowering. What’s wrong?

A: It could be due to insufficient sunlight. Make sure it’s getting at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Also, avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can lead to lush green growth but fewer flowers.

Q: Is Deer's Tongue deer-resistant?

A: Despite its name, Deer's Tongue is not entirely deer-proof. However, its strong fragrance tends to deter deer from munching on it compared to other plants.

Q: Can I grow Deer's Tongue indoors?

A: Yes, but it needs plenty of sunlight. Place it near a south-facing window or use grow lights if you don’t have enough natural light.