Species heart-leaved skullcap
blue flowers and buds with green leaves and stems

heart-leaved skullcap

Scutellaria ovata

Heart-Leaved Skullcap is a member of the mint family native to the United States. It typically grows to 1-3 feet tall and produces two-lipped, heart shaped leaves that grow in pairs. The flowers are small, blue and white and appear in loose clusters at the top of the plant during the later summer and early fall. This plant is often used in gardens as an ornamental but also has medicinal properties as an anxiolytic. Heart-Leaved Skullcap is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant plant, making it a great addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Blue - purple Flowers

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Heart-leaved skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) should be watered when the top 1" inch of soil is dry to the touch. Water thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom of the pot then empty any excess water left in the bottom tray. Water the plant every 3-5 days depending on the season and temperature and let it dry out between waterings. Do not overwater as the plant is prone to root rot.

sunlight

Heart-leaved skullcap can thrive in full to partial sunlight. In an outdoor environment, it should get 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. It may also tolerate some dappled shade in direct sunlight, but it is best to ensure that the plant receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. When grown indoors, it should be placed in a location close to a bright window where it can receive plenty of indirect sunlight.

pruning

Heart-leaved skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning helps rejuvenate and encourage substantial growth of foliage. When doing the pruning, be sure to cut back stems to the base of the plant where it meets the crown. All weak or dead stems should be removed. To ensure the longevity of the plants, remove any stems that show signs of disease or rot. Pruning encourages branching and will result in a more full and bushy growth habit. It also encourages blooms. It is important to prune your Heart-leaved skullcap after it has finished blooming for the season. This will ensure that the plant has time to set new buds that will be ready for the following season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Scutellaria ovata typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Scutellaria ovata typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map