Self-Heal

Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata

Native to: All of New England

Life cycle: Perennial

Light: Full/Partial Sun

Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium

Height: 6-12"
Spacing: 1-3’

Blooms: June-August
Bloom Color: Purple

Natural Habitat: Human-disturbed or -maintained habitats, meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes

Benefits: Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Bees, Attracts Hummingbirds, Host Plant (eg. clouded sulphur), Deer/Rabbit Resistant, Compaction Tolerant, Urban Environment, Low Maintenance

Pairs Well With: Yarrow, sweet fern, common blue violet

Notes: Self-heal has a complicated native status. Botanists currently believe that there are separate European and American varieties (or sometimes subspecies), with Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata being the American one. However, the plants are known to hybridize, making it even more complicated to distinguish the two varieties. We believe this plant to be the true native variety, sourced from Blue Stem Natives’ seed, but we cannot guarantee it won’t hybridize in your landscape. That said, as best we know, both varieties (and their hybrids) provide the same ecological benefit, and even the European variety is not an ecosystem detractor.

“Selfheal is an eye-catching groundcover that creeps between clumping grasses and flowers. Its purple flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. The native subspecies in our region, Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata, is distinguished by its longer leaves and more upright habit.

– Native Plant Trust

“Common selfheal, also known as heal-all, is an important plant for insects. The flowers are visited by long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, and small butterflies. Bee visitors include bumblebees and small native bees including green metallic bees. Self-heal is the larval host for the Clouded sulphur butterfly (its caterpillars eat the leaves to grow and live).”

– Blue Stem Natives