Considering that the assessment of antioxidant activity and phytochemical in wild and planted medicinal plants would help in identification of possibilities for promoting cultivation, this study focused on comparison of plant material drawn from wild and planted sources of Valeriana jatamansi in Indian west Himalaya. GC–MS analysis of root samples of target species detected 20 identified compounds representing over 72% of essential oils. While comparing with root samples from wild individuals, a significantly higher (P<0.05) total phenols (13.05mg/g dry weight gallic acid equivalent), flavonoids (5.78mg/g quercetin equivalent) and antioxidant activity (ABTS–4.87mg/g: FRAP–10.18mg/g ascorbic acid equivalent dry weight) was observed for root samples of planted individuals. Whereas, tannin content and antioxidant activity using DPPH was more in case of wild source. A strong antioxidant activity was exhibited by the essential oil as compared to methanolic extract; however, the activity was not as much effective as positive controls, e.g., ascorbic acid, gallic acid, tannic acid and quercetin. Significantly (P<0.05) higher total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity was revealing in samples of the aerial parts than the root. The material drawn from planted source invariably showed high phenolic content and flavonoid. Minimum reduction in antioxidant phytochemicals and activity was observed for hot air oven dried (45°C) samples. The results demonstrated occurrence of higher quantum of antioxidant phytochemicals in samples of planted source thereby suggesting possibilities of greater returns from commercial cultivation of the species.