Grows well in ordinary moist, well-drained garden soil and on dry walls. Prefers a sunny position, though it also succeeds in semi-shade. Thrives on chalk, poor soils and in sandy soils. Established plants are drought tolerant. This species is hardy to about -15°c. Plants are generally long-lived and grow especially well in maritime areas, where they are a common feature of hedgerows and walls. A very ornamental plant, it attracts moths and butterflies. The flowers have an unpleasant smell like perspiration.

Young leaves - raw or cooked as greens. Exceedingly good, either in salads or cooked as a vegetable. This differs from our own experience, whilst the leaves can be added to salads they are rather bitter and rather less than desirable[8, 183, K]. Root - cooked. Used in soups.

Seed - sow February to May in situ or as soon as it is ripe in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually rapid. Division in spring. Cuttings, summer, in a cold frame.

Waste land, rocks, old walls etc. Prefers alkaline conditions.