Plant Database / Wild & Foraged / Plantain (Broadleaf)
Wild & Foraged

Plantain (Broadleaf)

Plantago major
Plantaginaceae

The 'bandage plant' — a lawn weed whose crushed leaf soothes bites and stings, and whose young leaves are edible.

EdibleWild / foragedForagedMedicinalSafe first forage
Plantain (Broadleaf) (Plantago major) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Any
Soil
Compacted, poor OK
pH
Adaptable
Hardiness
Perennial weed
Height
6–12 in
Days to harvest
Year-round

What it is

Plantain (Broadleaf) (Plantago major) is in the Plantaginaceae family. The 'bandage plant' — a lawn weed whose crushed leaf soothes bites and stings, and whose young leaves are edible.

How to grow it

It wants full sun to part shade, water it any, and give it compacted, poor ok soil. Target a soil pH around Adaptable. Expect roughly Year-round. Perennial weed.

How it's used

Plantain (Broadleaf) is used: young leaves cooked; poultice.

🔎 How to identify it

  • Broad oval leaves with parallel veins
  • Leafless flower spike
  • Basal rosette, hugs the ground

Edibility

PartsLeaves and seed
UsesYoung leaves cooked; poultice
CautionOlder leaves get stringy.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.