Self-heal
Prunella vulgaris
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Description
Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as Self-heal, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America and thrives in meadows, grasslands, and along roadsides. Self-heal is recognized for its small, purple flowers that bloom in dense, cylindrical spikes and its creeping growth habit, which allows it to form an effective ground cover. In agroecology and regenerative agriculture, Self-heal serves as a valuable ground cover to suppress weeds, improve soil health, and attract pollinators. It plays a role in the herbaceous layer of a food forest, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine for its wound-healing properties and is often included in herbal guilds with plants like yarrow and chamomile for enhanced medicinal benefits.
Growing Details
Self-heal prefers well-drained soil and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, including sandy and loamy soils. Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Companion plants include yarrow and chamomile, which can enhance its medicinal properties. Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases. Harvest leaves and flowers just before full bloo
Edible Parts
Leaves
Flowers
Tags
Attracts Wildlife
Erosion Preventing
Bee Friendly
Meadow
Visual Appeal
Easy Propagating
Colouring
Tea
Range (Based on GBIF Data)
The map shows known occurrence points of <strong>Prunella vulgaris</strong> recorded in scientific biodiversity databases.
Source: <a href="https://www.gbif.org" target="_blank">GBIF.org</a> โ Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Location & Timing
native geo location: Native to Europe, Asia, and North America
applicable geo region: Temperate regions
language used: en
Flowering:
beginning
of Jun for 60 days
Harvest:
beginning
of August for 30 days
Seed Start:
beginning
of March
Indoor Start:
beginning
of March
Transplant:
beginning
of May
Uses & Benefits
Edible Rating:
(2/5)
edible uses: The leaves and flowers of Self-heal can be consumed raw or cooked. They are often added to salads or used as a garnish. The plant has a mild, slightly bitter taste. The leaves can be brewed into a tea, which is traditionally used for its soothing properties.
Medicinal Rating:
(5/5)
medicinal uses: Self-heal is highly valued for its medicinal properties. It has been used traditionally to treat wounds, sore throats, and inflammation. The plant contains compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making it useful in herbal medicine for treating a variety of ailments. The leaves and flowers are typically used in infusions or poultices. Caution is advised for those with allergies to plants in the mint family.
health concerns: Caution is advised for individuals with allergies to plants in the mint family.
other uses: Self-heal can be used as a natural dye, producing a greenish color. It also serves as an excellent ground cover in ecological landscaping.
Scientific Literature
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Botanical data
specie: Prunella vulgaris
common names: Heal-all; Woundwort; Heart-of-the-earth
family: Lamiaceae
sub family:
tribe:
sub tribe:
genus: Prunella
Growing Conditions
area needed: 0.1 m
spacing: 0.3 m
growing difficulty: Low
Deciduous / Evergreen: Evergreen
Seed Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 20ยฐC / 15ยฐC / 25ยฐC
Plant Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 20ยฐC / 5ยฐC / 30ยฐC
water demands: Medium
humidity:
light demands: Medium
root type: Shallow
frost tender: Low
hardness:
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(3/10)
first harvest: 1 years
life span: 5 years
succession: Pioneer
growth rate: Medium
max height: 0.3 m
max width: 0.5 m
soil preference:
Medium (Loam)
pH preference:
Neutral
flower type:
Hermaphrodite
growth details: Self-heal prefers well-drained soil and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, including sandy and loamy soils. Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Companion plants include yarrow and chamomile, which can enhance its medicinal properties. Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases. Harvest leaves and flowers just before full bloo
Potential Disturbances: Self-heal is generally resistant to most disturbances but can occasionally be affected by aphids and fungal diseases in overly damp conditions. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to control aphid populations. Planting garlic or chives nearby can help repel pests naturally. Use neem oil or garlic spray as organic treatments for fungal issues.
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