Forgotten Perennials And Homestead Staples

When most people think “perennials,” they picture rosemary, blueberries, and asparagus. But there’s a whole hidden world of hardy, overlooked plants that thrive year after year, offering food, medicine, and even building materials. These forgotten perennials were once staples of self-sufficient living - and they deserve a comeback.

Here’s your guide to some of the most useful and underrated perennials for off-grid and homestead living.

🌿 Nettles (Urtica dioica)

Yes, the stinging ones! Nettles are a homesteader’s dream.

• Food: Cooked nettles lose their sting and taste like a rich spinach. Packed with iron, calcium, and vitamins.
• Tea: Nutritious infusion for wellness and energy.
• Homestead Use: Makes powerful compost tea and natural fertilizer.
• Bonus: Attracts pollinators and improves soil health.

🌱 Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Nicknamed the “miracle plant” of permaculture.

• Soil Builder: Deep roots pull up nutrients, making incredible mulch and compost tea.
• Animal Fodder: Chickens, goats, and rabbits love it (in moderation).
• Medicinal: Traditionally used in salves for bruises and bone support (external use only).
• Growth: Vigorous and fast. Once established, it’s basically unstoppable. Plant is specific locations and mark it so you remeber it is for external use only. 

🌶 Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

Spicy, hardy, and resilient.

• Food: Roots grated into sauces and ferments bring fiery flavor.
• Medicinal: Known for supporting sinuses and digestion.
• Growth: Spreads aggressively - give it its own space or a big container.
• Bonus: Strong-smelling roots can deter pests in the garden.

🌿 Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)

An old European green with a lemony tang.

• Food: Young leaves in soups, salads, or sauces. Think of it as a perennial spinach with zing.
• Low Maintenance: Pops up early in spring, even before most veggies.
• Hardy: Survives cold winters and neglect.

🌳 Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

Fast-growing and surprisingly versatile.

• Building Material: Poles for fencing, trellises, and structures.
• Food: Tender shoots are edible (treat properly before eating).
• Privacy Screen: Creates living walls quickly.
• Tip: Choose clumping bamboo, not running, unless you want a takeover.

🌿 Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus)

A forgotten medieval garden staple.

• Food: Leaves used like spinach, shoots like asparagus.
• Resilient: Thrives in poor soil and partial shade.
• History: Known as “poor man’s asparagus,” once a cottage garden standard.

🌿 Tips For Growing Forgotten Perennials

• Give space to spreaders. Nettles, comfrey, and horseradish can dominate—contain them or dedicate a patch.
• Harvest young leaves. Plants like sorrel and nettles taste best when tender.
• Use them multi-purpose. These plants aren’t just food - they feed soil, animals, and your medicine chest too.

⚠ Cautions

• Nettles sting. Wear gloves when harvesting fresh leaves. Cooking or drying removes the sting.
• Comfrey should not be taken internally. Use externally only (salves, poultices).
• Horseradish spreads aggressively. Plant where it can stay put.
• Bamboo running types will take over. Only plant clumping varieties unless you want a forest.
• Good King Henry contains oxalates, so eat in moderation, especially if prone to kidney issues.
• Always fully research every herb, it's uses and its cautions!

✨ Forgotten perennials are the quiet workhorses of a homestead. They may not look glamorous, but they’ll keep feeding, healing, and supporting your land for years without constant replanting. Think of them as your off-grid secret stash.