Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 1 - 3cm
Position: Sun / part shade
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Rupturewort Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Herniaria glabra

Herniaria glabra or Rupturewort is an evergreen perennial in most of Australia, but is treated as a bi-annual or annual in very cold regions of the world. It reaches only a few centimetres high and may spread outwards from 30 to 50cm, forming a small, ground cover. The leaves are soft and deep green, releasing a musky fragrance when squashed. It flowers in summer, but the flowers are barely noticeable. In cold regions of the world, the leaves may turn a bronze rust colour as the weather cools.

The Herniaria genus consists mostly of annual flowering plants and belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae. H. glabra is related to carnations and dianthus. This genus is native to Asia, Eurasia, Africa and some parts of Europe, but has been introduced to North America. Usually plants in this genus form a mat like ground cover for a short period but this may be dependent upon local weather conditions. This plant is still quite uncommon but is growing in popularity.

Rupturwort is also called Green Carpet due to the plant’s spreading nature and soft texture underfoot. It may go by many common names including, Smooth Rupturewort in North America and Europe, Bruckkraut, Flax Weed, Herniaire Hirsute, or even plain Herniary. The traditional and scientific names are derived from an early belief that the plant was useful for curing hernias. However, the hernias in question were hernias or ruptures of the skin, such as cuts and abrasions, rather than internal hernias.

Growing Conditions

Rupturewort needs full sun or partial shade. It will not do well in a lot of shade or for long shady periods. It has average water requirements and needs water during the dry, warm seasons. There is some tolerance for dry periods in climates similar to the northern hemisphere, but Australian summer conditions are different. Poor or dry sandy soils replicate its natural habitat and are very suitable. Average soil types should meet all nutrient requirements. This plant tolerates dry winds, but not the salinity found in coastal regions. It is a good container plant and trails nicely over the edges.

Rupturewort is said to be very hardy and nearly indestructible. This tough character means that it is a useful lawn substitute and a good rockery plant as it is able to take some foot traffic. If pets or children wander through the garden Rupturewort may be useful. It will even allow spring bulbs to grow through while it acts as a groundcover. It has a slow growth rate, so it is easily controlled and may be propagated by division in spring. As a self-fertile plant it has both male and female parts and is insect pollinated under natural circumstances.

Culinary Uses

Rupturewort is edible, but has no culinary uses.

Medicinal Uses

Rupturewort contains herniarin and chemicals that may help stop spasms and help with eliminating excess water from the body. It has an anti-spasmodic effect on the bladder and is traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections (UTI), cystitis and kidney stones.

A poultice may be made from the whole plant and used externally for healing ulcers. The whole plant is astringent, diuretic and expectorant and should be gathered when in flower. It has also been used for lung disorders, nerve pain, gout, arthritis, fluid retention, muscle and joint pain and for ‘purifying the blood.’ An aqueous extract is made from the plant and used as a hand cleanser.

This plant should be used with professional guidance. Rupturewort interacts with Lithium and may act as a diuretic, preventing lithium from being excreted properly. This would increase the amount of lithium in the body and doses may need to be adjusted. Please consult with your doctor if you are on this medication. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume or apply rupturewort.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.