Description
Prunella vulgaris | Common Self-heal
Self-heal, Heal-all, All-heal, or Heart-of-the-Earth, is a perennial herb native to Europe, but this classic meadow plant has been naturalized throughout Asia, Japan and the United States. It’s a low growing, sprawling plant in the wild, usually only reaching 6-8 inches, but in the garden it can grow to be over two feet tall with abundant blooms of its unique purple flowers. Blooming all summer and into fall Self-heal attracts butterflies, bees (particularly bumble bees), and other pollinators.
Prefers a partly sunny spot with plenty of moisture, such as damp ditches and pastures, rainy coastal bluffs, and forest clearings, but does fine in many other conditions too.
Seeds can be direct sown in fall or spring, or started indoors and then planted out. Can spread by shallow rhizomes, but not to the point of being invasive.
This mint family herb is edible. The leaves and flowers contain high levels of antioxidants, and they can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb. Self-heal was once used for a wide variety of health ailments and has a storied history among Native Americans.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 6-24 inches
Mature width: 6-9 inches
Hardiness zones: 4- 9
Check out this great video from The Herbal Jedi:
