perennialN. America Native

Blue Skullcap

$37.68

The Story

Plant Bio

Scutellaria lateriflora, commonly known as blue skullcap, is an upright, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial native to wet meadows and floodplains across North America. The square stems bear opposite, finely toothed lanceolate leaves and produce one-sided racemes of tiny, tubular, two-lipped blue to lavender flowers from midsummer into early fall.

This wetland species is distinguished by its side-flowering habit, where flowers emerge primarily from the leaf axils rather than terminal spikes. The foliage contains bitter compounds that make it highly resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces delicate, snapdragon-like blue flowers that line the stems in late summer, adding soft color to shady, wet areas.

Thrives in saturated soils where other perennials fail, making it highly effective for stabilizing wet banks and low-lying spots.

Attracts native bees and other beneficial insect pollinators to wetland gardens and rain-garden plantings.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

36"

Width

18"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

High

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer – Autumn

In flower about 6 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Nature Hills

In Stock$37.68

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with partial to full shade, or full sun if the soil remains consistently wet throughout the growing season.
Amend the planting area with rich organic compost to help retain moisture while maintaining a porous soil structure.
Space plants twelve to eighteen inches apart to allow the rhizomatous root systems room to spread and form a dense ground cover.
Water deeply and regularly to ensure the soil never dries out, especially during hot summer dry spells.

Pro Tip

Do not treat this species like a typical dryland garden mint; it requires constantly moist, organic soil and will collapse rapidly if allowed to dry out, yet needs enough soil porosity to prevent anaerobic root rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep the soil consistently moist to wet at all times.
Top-dress with organic compost in early spring to provide gentle nutrients.
Cut dead stems cleanly to the ground in late winter before new shoots emerge.

Don't

Do not allow the soil to dry out completely, as this causes rapid leaf drop and plant death.
Do not plant in stagnant, compacted clay without organic matter, which leads to anaerobic root rot.
Avoid heavy pruning into old, leafless wood during the active growing season.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Mulch
Pest Check
Spring Cleanup
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rain gardensWetland restorationShade gardensBog gardensStream banks

Companion Plants

Chelone glabra Lobelia siphilitica Iris versicolor Carex stricta

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Blue Skullcap questions

What zones can Blue Skullcap grow in?

Blue Skullcap is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Blue Skullcap deer resistant?

Yes — Blue Skullcap is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Blue Skullcap bloom?

Blue Skullcap typically blooms in summer through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Blue Skullcap need full sun?

Blue Skullcap does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.