Plants and the Planets: An Ancient Connection
- The Economic Botanist
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
This article is about the fascinating link between Plants and the Planets.
"Plants are not just rooted in the earth—they are tied to the stars. In their leaves and blooms, we can taste the cosmos and heal with its wisdom." – The Economic Botanist
Did you know that centuries ago, people believed every plant had a planet looking over it? That’s right—plants weren’t just plants; they were little cosmic citizens, each ruled by Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, the Sun, or the Moon. This belief shaped not just gardening, but medicine, food, and even daily life. The idea was that if you wanted your herbs or crops to thrive—or if you wanted to get the most out of them for healing—you had to pay attention to the stars and planets.
In this article, we are going to look into the fascinating connection between plants and planets, exploring how ancient herbalists used astrology to classify, harvest, and understand the natural world. You’ll discover why certain herbs were linked with specific planets, how these associations influenced traditional healing practices, and how culinary and medicinal uses often mirrored the “personality” of each celestial ruler. From the fiery boldness of Mars plants to the soft, soothing nature of Moon herbs, each planetary group offers a unique glimpse into the way our ancestors interpreted the universe.
Whether you’re a gardener, a cook, an herbal enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good cosmic story, this journey through planetary herbalism will help you see familiar plants in an entirely new light—one where earth and sky meet in every leaf, root, and flower.
On this page
Plants and the Planets: An Ancient Connection
Saturn’s Herbs: The Strong and Stoic Plants
Jupiter’s Herbs: Graceful and Beneficial Greens
Mars’ Herbs: Fiery and Potent Plants
Venus’ Herbs: The Beautiful and Pleasing Plants
Mercury’s Herbs: Versatile and Stimulating Greens
The Sun’s Plants: Radiant and Life-Giving Herbs
Moon Plants: Lunar Influence on Growth and Health
Culinary Uses of Planetary Plants
Health Benefits of Planetary Herbs
Astrology, Agriculture, and the Moon
Plants and the Planets: An Ancient Connection
Long before modern science, people believed that every plant was governed by a planet—and this idea shaped how they cooked, healed, and farmed. Nicholas Culpeper, a 17th-century herbalist and astrologer, mapped in his British Herbal and Family Physician over 500 plants to the Sun, Moon, and planets of classical astrology, creating a system where nature and the cosmos were deeply intertwined.
While we no longer depend on planetary rulership to diagnose or treat illness, these traditions reveal how carefully ancient people observed the natural world. Today, this cosmic framework offers a fascinating way to understand the personality of plants, their historical uses, and the symbolism behind them.
Saturn’s Herbs: The Strong and Stoic Plants
Saturn’s plants are a little… intense. They’re the “tough love” of the garden world. Their leaves are coarse, hairy, and often dry, while their flowers tend to look a bit gloomy—think faded whites, dull greens, or pale reds. Roots spread widely and deep, showing their resilience, and their scent can be pungent or even off-putting.
Why does this matter? Well, Saturn plants often have strong medicinal properties. Their toughness mirrors their ability to survive in harsh conditions, which usually means concentrated compounds that can aid in human health. Many of these herbs were used to treat chronic issues or to strengthen the body over time.
Saturn herbs examples:
Coltsfoot – traditionally used for respiratory support
Hellebore – known historically for purifying and detoxifying
In culinary terms, Saturn herbs aren’t usually your go-to flavor boosters—they’re more functional. But their resilience and potency make them fascinating to study and to use in herbal remedies.
Jupiter’s Herbs: Graceful and Beneficial Greens
Jupiter is the planet of growth, abundance, and wisdom, and its herbs reflect that. These plants are smooth, often with graceful, pointed leaves. Their flowers are bright and appealing—think soft blues, yellows, and ruddy flesh tones. Roots tend to be smaller and delicate, but their aromas are subtle and pleasing, often boosting your mood and brainpower.
Jupiter herbs were prized not just for their beauty, but for their therapeutic value. Many were believed to strengthen the body, promote digestion, and enhance overall vitality.
Jupiter herbs examples::
Fennel – sweet, aromatic, and excellent in teas or roasted with vegetables
Marjoram – subtle and warming, perfect for soups and stews
These herbs are gentle but effective. Using them in your kitchen is like sprinkling a little cosmic luck on your meals.
Mars’ Herbs: Fiery and Potent Plants
If Jupiter is calm and generous, Mars is bold and fiery. Mars herbs often have long, pointed leaves and a strong, sometimes harsh taste. Flowers can be a riot of colors—yellow, vermilion, purple, red—changing quickly as if mirroring Mars’ energetic nature. Their roots spread underground in fibrous networks, and their scents are powerful, sometimes acrid.
Mars herbs pack a punch in both the kitchen and the medicine cabinet. Historically, they were used to stimulate circulation, support immunity, and even treat infections.
Mars herbs examples:
Garlic – pungent, spicy, perfect for boosting heart health
Horseradish – fiery root that adds heat to sauces and stews
Mars herbs are your “wake-up” herbs—they’re strong, stimulating, and a little wild, just like the planet itself.
Venus’ Herbs: The Beautiful and Pleasing Plants
Venus herbs are the beauties of the garden. Think large, lush, soft leaves, and flowers that delight the eye with whites, blues, and rosy hues. These plants grow quickly, don’t dig too deep into the soil, and give off subtle, refreshing aromas that lift the spirit.
In culinary terms, Venus herbs are often edible and aromatic, making meals feel luxurious. They’re used in salads, teas, desserts, and garnishes.
Venus herbs examples:
Basil – soft, fragrant, perfect in Mediterranean dishes
Rosemary – versatile, aromatic, great for roasting meats or vegetables
Chamomile – soothing for teas, calming for digestion and sleep
Venus plants are more than pretty—they bring joy to your cooking and calm to your health.
Mercury’s Herbs: Versatile and Stimulating Greens
Mercury herbs are the multitaskers of the plant kingdom. Their leaves and flowers are visually pleasing, roots dig deep, and their scent can refresh both the heart and mind. These herbs often stimulate mental clarity and improve digestion.
Mercury herbs examples:
Mint – invigorating for teas, desserts, or sauces
Dill – fragrant, ideal for pickling or seafood dishes
Mercury herbs are perfect for adding a touch of complexity to your meals while giving a subtle boost to your mental focus.
The Sun’s Plants: Radiant and Life-Giving Herbs
The Sun is all about energy, vitality, and radiance—and its herbs mirror that perfectly. Sun plants have strong, succulent leaves, golden or radiant flowers, and roots that dig deep for stability. Their scents are powerful and restorative, often uplifting both brain and eyes.
In the kitchen, Sun herbs are bold, flavorful, and nutrient-rich. Think of herbs that brighten dishes while boosting overall health.
Sun herbs examples:
Saffron – golden, aromatic, luxurious in cooking
Marigold petals – slightly tangy, used in salads or herbal teas
Sun herbs are a daily dose of brightness, helping both your meals and your body soak up vitality.
Moon Plants: Lunar Influence on Growth and Health
The Moon has always been linked to moisture, growth, and the ebb and flow of life. Moon plants often have pale, succulent leaves and subtle flowers, and their roots thrive in damp environments. Many of these herbs were believed to influence fertility, menstruation, and female health.
Lunar herbs examples:
Violet – delicate, edible flowers for teas or desserts
Mugwort – historically used for menstrual support and digestion
Chamomile – moon-associated calming herb for sleep and relaxation
Moon herbs are perfect for slow, gentle growth in your garden and subtle support for health in your kitchen.
Culinary Uses of Planetary Plants
Here’s where things get really fun—you can eat the planets! Many herbs, from fiery Mars garlic to soothing Moon chamomile, have been used in cooking for centuries.
Tips for using planetary herbs in your kitchen:
Mix planetary flavors: Pair a Venus herb like basil with a Sun herb like saffron for both taste and vibrancy.
Use herbs for health benefits: Mercury herbs like mint can improve digestion; Saturn herbs can support detox.
Infuse oils or teas: Extract the flavors and properties of herbs without overpowering dishes.
Think of cooking as a cosmic experiment—you’re blending flavors and energies from across the solar system.
Health Benefits of Planetary Herbs
Beyond taste, these herbs are powerhouses for your health:
Saturn herbs: detoxifying, strengthening, good for chronic conditions
Jupiter herbs: support digestion, mood, and immunity
Mars herbs: stimulate circulation, combat infections
Venus herbs: calm, beautify, aid relaxation and sleep
Mercury herbs: improve focus, digestive health
Sun herbs: energizing, rich in antioxidants, support vision and brain function
Moon herbs: support fertility, menstrual health, and hydration
By aligning your herb choices with your needs—and maybe even the moon or planets—you can bring a little cosmic wisdom to your wellbeing.
Astrology, Agriculture, and the Moon
Historically, farmers and herbalists paid attention to the Moon’s phases when planting, harvesting, or gathering herbs. Full moons, waxing moons, and waning moons were all believed to affect plant growth, potency, and even human health.
Modern research confirms some of these observations: plants do respond to light cycles, gravitational changes, and moisture patterns. So even if we don’t fully embrace astrology, there’s something fascinating in these ancient lunar practices.
Lunar Herbs and Women’s Health
Many Moon-associated herbs were linked specifically to women’s health. These include plants for menstrual support, fertility, and postpartum recovery:
Daisy and Moon Daisy: gentle support for female reproductive health
Costmary and May-weed: historically used for uterine health
Mugwort and Artemis herbs: calming, supportive for periods and childbirth
The Moon’s association with moisture, cycles, and intuition made these herbs central to ancient medicine for women—and many of their benefits are echoed in modern herbalism.
The Bottom Line
The ancient link between plants and planets reminds us that nature is not isolated from the cosmos—it’s shaped by it. For centuries, people observed the sky and the soil together, believing that herbs carried the personality, power, and rhythm of the celestial bodies above them.
And while modern science may not divide plants by planetary rulership, it does affirm the keen observations behind these traditions: each herb has its own temperament, benefits, and energy, shaped by environment, season, and even light cycles.
Whether you see planetary herbalism as symbolism, science, or a poetic blend of both, it offers a rich lens for understanding the plants we cook with, heal with, and grow. In many ways, these old beliefs invite us to slow down, look closer, and reconnect with the rhythms that influence all life—earthly and cosmic alike.
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Ready to explore the celestial side of your garden or kitchen? Start by choosing one herb from each planetary group and experimenting—brew a Moon-tea with chamomile, cook a fiery Mars-infused dish with garlic, or brighten a meal with a Sun herb like saffron or marigold. Notice how each plant feels, tastes, and supports your wellbeing. Keep a small journal of your experiences, your recipes, and even the lunar phases if you’re curious. Let yourself rediscover the wonder that ancient herbalists knew well: when you work with plants, you’re not just tending a garden—you’re tending a tiny piece of the cosmos.