How to Grow Prunella Flowers

About Growing Prunella Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Looking for a pretty and easy to grow, flowering ground cover? Growing Prunellas is the answer for you! Native to Europe, perennial Prunella is a low-growing, drought-tolerant plant that attracts pollinators. Songbirds and other backyard birds love the seeds, too. And, they are prolific re-seeders. Prunella flowers are actually classified as an herb. It is a member of the mint family and is closely related to sage.

The plant has a spreading habitat. The flowers are brightly colored and cheerful. However, the flowers do not emit a strong and pleasant scent. They are excellent ground cover. Prunella looks good in rock gardens and as a border edging. And, you can grow them in containers or windowsill planters, too.

All parts of the Prunella plant are edible. The leaves are used most often. Use the leaves raw, cooked, or dried. Older leaves can become somewhat bitter, especially in hot, dry weather. Try Prunella leaves in soups, stews, and salads. You can use it in tea, or in a cold beverage.

The plants are prolific seed producers. As a result, the seeds can get into your lawn and sprout. Once in your lawn, they are a persistent weed. Prunella plants are resistant to most lawn weed killers. Yu may need to pull these “weeds” by hand.

Also, Prunella plants are medicinal herbs. See the medicinal uses below.

Prunella Flower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Blue, lavender, pink, purple, and white.

Flowers Bloom: Spring to early Fall.

Plant Height: Six to twelve inches tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

Hardiness Zones: 6 – 9

Light Requirements: Full to partial sunlight.

Is the Plant Toxic? No. However, it is not recommended for consumption.

Deer Resistant? Yes.

Native To: Meadow sand woodlands of Europe.

Number of Species: There are fifteen known species.

Plant Type: Perennial herb.

Botanical Name: Prunella vulgaris

Other Plant Names: It is commonly known as “Self Heal” and “All Heal”. It earned this name for its many medicinal uses.

Are Prunella Plants Edible?

YES!!

All parts of the Prunella plant are edible. It is commonly used in soups and salads. We recommend you incorporate it into your tea tonight…. and every night!

Medicinal Uses for Prunella Plants

The Prunella plant is used in home medicinal remedies for a variety of ailments, both external and internal. Here are a few of them:

Externally, it is used to treat wounds, cold sores, mouth ulcers, and toe fungus.
It is used as a treatment for herpes.
Internally, Prunella treats diarrhea, bloating, and internal bleeding.
Use it to help prevent diabetes.
Also, it may have cancer-fighting properties.
Use it to treat liver ailments.

Light Requirements

Prunella flowers grow best in full sunlight. For the best performance, select a growing location where they will receive at least six to eight hours of bright, direct sunlight.

In hotter regions of the country, grow them in partial sunlight. Look for a location where they will receive morning sunlight and offers shade protection from the hot, afternoon sun.

Important Note: Too little sunlight results in fewer and smaller blooms. Also, in low light levels Prunella plants are more susceptible to plant diseases.

Perennial Prunella Plant Propagation

Prunella plants are grown from seeds. The seeds should be “Chilled” first in the refrigerator. Put them in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks. When planting, do not cover Prunella seeds. They need light to germinate. The ideal soil temperature for seed germination is 70 – 75 degrees. For faster and more successful germination, we recommend using a heated germination mat.

Days to Germination: 15-20 days.

Prunella will also propagate from rooting the creeping stems. The plant will readily root at each node where the stem touches the moist ground.

Also, you can divide and replant clumps in the spring, or early fall.

How to Grow Prunella Flower Plants

Prunella plants are easy to grow. They grow well in almost any soil that drains well.

The plants prefer full to partial sunlight.

Prunella does not need a lot of fertilizer. However, for a fast start, mix in compost at the planting site when first planting.

In poor soils, apply a general-purpose fertilizer in the early spring, and again in mid-summer. In rich soils, they do fine without any additional fertilizers or nutrients.

Prunella flowers are drought tolerant. However, they grow best if you keep the soil moist, but not wet. SO, water them during droughts and hot, dry weather.

Pinch back the growing tips when the plants are young, to promote bushier growth.

Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the blooming period.

Plant Spacing: 12″

How to Grow Prunella Plants in Flowerpots and Containers

The short height of perennial Prunella flowers makes them good candidates to grow in containers and flowerpots. The plant do well in areas that receive partial sunlight. Therefore, they are good candidates to grow on balconies and decks. Their bright, cheery blooms will brighten up any partly shaded-balcony, patio, or deck.

In addition to the normal steps for growing them, here’s how to care for them in a flowerpot or container:

Select a partly sunny to somewhat shady location on your deck or patio.
It is important to have a drain hole to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
The plants tolerate soil that is on the dry side. Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every several days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet. It is okay to let the top of the soil begin to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

Pruning Perennial Prunella Flowers

To create a bushy, attractive plant, pinch back the growing stems early in the season. multiple stems emerge for each stem you pinch back. In addition to a bushier plant appearance, the plant will produce more flowers.

Deadheading spent blooms, when practical helps to promote more blooms all season long.

If you want to harvest some of the seeds, leave a few spent blooms on a couple of the plants.

More on Deadheading Spent Flower Blooms.

Insects and Plant Disease

Prunella plants are seldom bothered by insects and disease. Generally, these plants do not need insecticides or fungicides.

However, on the rare occasion where insects or diseases are a problem, treat them with insecticidal soap and /or fungicide at the earliest sign of trouble.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

How to Overwinter Prunella Plants

Perennial Prunella flowers are hardy plants. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare them for their long winter’s nap.

In warmer regions of the country, they need little or no preparation for winter. However, in colder, more northerly regions of the country, there are a few things you should do.

Overwintering Perennial Prunella Plants Outdoors

These hardy plants usually do well in the garden during the winter months. Cut the plant back to about halfway to the soil level. Then, apply a thick layer of mulch over the root area. In the early spring, rake off the excess mulch.

For Overwintering Prunella Plants in Containers

First, cut the plant back about halfway to the soil level. Then, bring the container into a cool garage or shed so the roots do not freeze. Bring the containers back onto your patio or deck in early to mid-spring.

You may also consider bringing them indoors to grow as a houseplant during the winter months. These plants grow well in partial sunlight. So, place them near a sunny window.

For more information, see: Bringing Plants Indoors