Lanceleaf Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata)
This is the West Coast subspecies of this beautiful native groundcover! Lanceleaf Self Heal has longer and narrower leaves than the subspecies found elsewhere in the world. And, the flowers are MUCH bigger and showier! This little plant is extremely versatile, tolerating a lot of different growing conditions - wet, dry, full sun, part shade, clay, salt spray, invasive weeds with sharp elbows, and other aggressive natives! Lanceleaf Self Heal is a huge draw for native bees, butterflies, predatory flies, and native wasps. It's also the host plant for the Clouded Sulphur butterfly! It is fast growing and propagates via cutting very easily. At maturity, Lanceleaf Self Heal can reach 12-18 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Move over clover, Lanceleaf Self Heal is a fantastic addition to any lawn substitution or ecolawn seed mix! In addition to being native, which Dutch Clover cannot claim, it holds its own against weeds and invasive pasture grass very well, blooms May-September, stays green without summer water, and takes mowing and foot traffic very well.
Lanceleaf Self Heal is a wonderful addition to oil infusions for skin products like salve and soaps. It's also edible and can be added to salads, sauteed greens, or steeped for teas!
Lanceleaf Self Heal at a glance
- Average growth dimensions - 4 - 19 inches tall x wide
- Dormancy - Winter deciduous - semi-deciduous (in mild climates)
- Plant type - Perennial herb
- Sun - Full sun - part shade
- Water - Moist - dry
- Flowering time - May - August (sometimes longer)
- Flower color - Purple
- Soil preference - Highly adaptable