Selfheal (Prunella grandiflora × vulgaris)
Care, watering, light and tips for Selfheal on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Selfheal
Prunella grandiflora × vulgaris, a self-heal hybrid, is a low-growing perennial herbaceous plant forming dense clumps. Its flowers, appearing in terminal spikes, display purple or pink hues, combining the showiness of P. grandiflora with the hardiness of P. vulgaris. It's an excellent choice for ground cover in borders, rock gardens, or naturalized meadows, adding color and attracting pollinators.
Native range
Europe and temperate Asia
Care tips
It prefers full sun to partial shade, though it will flower more profusely with more light. It tolerates a wide range of soils but prefers well-drained, medium-fertility ones. Keep the soil consistently moist, avoiding waterlogging, especially during dry spells. A common mistake is planting it in very heavy, poorly drained soils, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Selfheal
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown, wilted, lifeless leaves. Lack of flowering or dropped flowers. Slow or stopped growth. Rot at the stem base.
- First aid
- Check watering; Prunella prefers moist but not waterlogged soil. Remove damaged leaves and stems. Repot if drainage is poor or pot is too small.
- What kills it
- Excess soil moisture is fatal, causing root rot. Also intense direct sun in hot climates and prolonged drought.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted or dried. Act quickly by adjusting watering and exposure. Provide partial shade if in strong sun.