Overview
Prunella vulgaris is a matforming herbaceous perennial in the genus Prunella, part of the Lamiaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Prunella vulgaris grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, banks and slopes, ground cover, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Prunella vulgaris, the common self-heal, heal-all, woundwort, heart-of-the-earth, carpenter's herb, brownwort or blue curls, is an herbaceous flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae).
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Prunella vulgaris
About the genus
Prunella is a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Lamiaceae, also known as self-heals, heal-all, or allheal for their use in herbal medicine.
Wikipedia contributors, "Prunella (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Prunella (plant)
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Prunella
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Prunella vulgaris size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Banks and slopes, Ground cover, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Prunella vulgaris
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Prunella vulgaris?
Prunella vulgaris prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Prunella vulgaris need?
Prunella vulgaris is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to poorly-drained to well-drained.
How big does Prunella vulgaris grow?
Prunella vulgaris reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Prunella vulgaris hardy in the UK?
Prunella vulgaris has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Prunella vulgaris?
Seed, Division.
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