A very easily grown plant, succeeding in almost any soil, thriving in moist clays, though rather dwarfed in dry dusty soils. It grows best in a well-drained loam, preferring a position in full sun but tolerating shade. Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates a slightly acid soil. Silverweed was formerly cultivated for its edible root. It is still possibly cultivated in parts of Scotland (1992). This plant spreads vigorously by its running roots and can be very invasive. It grows well in a meadow, or places where the grass is only cut occasionally. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Root - raw or cooked. It can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups etc or mixed with cereals. A nice taste, crisp and nutty with a somewhat starchy flavor. The roots are rather thin, though perhaps their size cold be improved in cultivation. Edible young shoots - raw. A tea is made from the leaves.

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring. Division is also very easy at almost any time the plant is in growth. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Ditches and moist calcareous soils. A common weed of cultivation.