Common Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

Common Self-Heal

(Prunella vulgaris)

Andrew Sebastian

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Andrew Sebastian

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as Common Self-Heal, is a deciduous perennial herb native to a wide range of habitats including grasslands, meadows, forest clearings, and roadsides across North America, Central America, and Eurasia. It typically grows 5–30 cm (2.0–11.8 in) high and features creeping, self-rooting, tough, square, reddish stems that branch at the leaf axes. The plant produces a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster of flowers with a pair of stalkless leaves that stand out on either side like a collar. The flowers are violet to purple and bloom predominantly in summer, from June to August in the USA, offering a modest display.

Common Self-Heal is valued for its medicinal properties, as it has been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments. It is also appreciated for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, making it suitable for ground cover, border planting, and naturalized areas. It prefers full shade to part shade and adapts to various soil types with different drainage capabilities. While it requires medium amounts of water, it can tolerate drought once established. Gardeners should be aware that Prunella vulgaris can spread aggressively, potentially becoming invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-1 feet
Width: 0.8-1 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Pink, Purple
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Grasslands, meadows, forest clearings, and roadsides across North America, Central America, and Eurasia

Other Names

Common Names: Woundwort , Heart-Of-The-Earth , Brownwort , Blue Curls , Carpenter’s Herb , Carpenter Weed , Common Heal-All , Common Selfheal , Heal-All , Self-Heal

Scientific Names: Prunella vulgaris , Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris , Brunella vulgaris , Prunella vulgaris f. vulgaris , Prunella vulgaris subsp. parviflora

GBIF Accepted Name: Prunella vulgaris L.