Indigenous Sweetgrass
(Hierochloe odorata)
 
Breathe deep, and let the sacred scent of sweetgrass carry you back through generations — to songs sung by the land and prayers braided with intention. Known as one of the Four Sacred Medicines in many Indigenous cultures, sweetgrass is said to carry the voice of the spirit world, inviting peace, clarity, and good energy. Burned in ceremony, braided with reverence, it is often called the hair of Mother Earth — a reminder of our living connection to all that grows.
 
This perennial grass grows in soft, flowing tufts, sending up sweetly vanilla fragrant blades that are harvested best just before flowering.
Sweetgrass spreads by underground rhizomes, preferring rich, moist soil and full to part sun.
Plant in spring once danger of frost has passed, spacing each start about 12–18 inches apart. Keep well-watered until established, and avoid overly dry or sandy spots. It does best in the ground but can thrive in a large pot with care and regular moisture.
 
To harvest, cut above the base and leave the roots intact — never pull. Traditionally, sweetgrass is braided in threes: body, mind, and spirit; past, present, and future. It’s best braided with the aid of a loved one — a ceremonial act that invites togetherness, story-sharing, and care. Its use is a gift, an offering, and a call to remember the sacredness of our relationship with the Earth.