The Month of Hunger : Hedgewitch Plants of March

 The First Green Magic: Hedge Witch Plants of March

March has long been a liminal month in the old countryside calendar. Winter loosens its grip, yet true spring has not fully arrived. For the hedge witches and cunning folk of earlier centuries, this was a time for watching the hedgerows and ditches. The first plants to rise from cold soil were believed to carry potent early magic—plants of resilience, protection, and quiet renewal.

Nettle – The Plant of Strength

Among the earliest green shoots to appear is the nettle. Though feared for its sting, nettle was treasured by country healers. Rich in nourishment after a long winter diet, it was brewed into soups and teas to restore vitality and strength. It really does sting! I tried pulling some up with bare hands and really regretted it!

“Nettles provoke urine, cleanse the breast, and stir up the body to warmth.” — Nicholas Culpeper, 17th‑century herbalist

Historical Side Note: In many parts of Britain and northern Europe, nettle soup was eaten in early spring as a tonic after the ‘hungry months.’ Folk belief also held that hanging nettles in the home could ward off ill fortune or lingering winter spirits.

Chickweed – The Herb of Renewal

Chickweed, considered a weed by most, creeps low across damp ground, often overlooked because of its delicate appearance. Yet folk healers valued it for soothing the skin and symbolizing the returning life of the earth.

“It is a fine cooling herb, good for inflammations and heat of the skin.” — Traditional English herbal tradition

Historical Side Note: Medieval herbal traditions recorded chickweed as a cooling herb used in poultices for irritated skin. In folk magic, its spreading habit was sometimes seen as a sign of quiet abundance returning to the land.

Violet – The Flower of Hidden Things

Violets appear close to the ground, their small purple blossoms tucked beneath leaves and grass. Because they bloom quietly and often unseen, they became associated with secrets, dreams, and hidden knowledge.

“The violet is cold and moist, comforting the heart and bringing gentle sleep.” — Medieval herbal tradition

Historical Side Note: In European folklore, violets were sometimes placed beneath pillows to encourage peaceful dreams. Their purple color linked them symbolically with mystery and spiritual insight.

I planted wild violets in a flowerbed and regretted it deeply. They are cute but boy do they spread like crazy.   

Yarrow – The Witch’s Warding Herb

Yarrow carries one of the longest magical reputations in European plant lore. Even when its spring leaves first appear, many traditions treat the plant with respect. It has long been associated with protection, healing, and prophecy.

“Yarrow stayeth bleeding and closeth wounds with marvelous speed.” — Early European battlefield herb lore

Historical Side Note: Yarrow was known historically as 'soldier’s woundwort' because it was used to staunch bleeding on battlefields. In folk magic, it was sometimes carried as a charm for protection or used in divination.

A beautiful green, that doesn’t die back in winter (at least in Texas) yarrow is a great plant with beautiful stalks of flowers (mine are white) that last for weeks. The only problem with yarrow is that it grows on underground runners and spreads like mad.

A Simple Hedge Witch Practice for March

1. Take a slow walk near a garden edge, field path, or hedgerow.
2. Notice the first plants returning to life after winter.
3. Gently touch a leaf or plant and take a moment to acknowledge the returning season.
4. Whisper a small intention for the coming spring—health, protection, or renewal.
5. If appropriate and allowed, gather a single leaf or sprig and place it on your altar or near a window as a sign that the green world is waking again.

For the hedge witch, March is not yet a season of abundance but a season of attention. The first green shoots remind us that magic rarely arrives loudly—it begins quietly, just beneath the soil.