Selfheal: The Humble Groundcover That’s Tougher Than It Looks
If you’ve ever walked across a lawn and noticed small purple flower spikes poking up between the grass blades, you’ve likely encountered selfheal (Prunella). This unassuming little plant might not win any beauty contests, but don’t let its modest appearance fool you – selfheal is a resilient perennial that deserves a closer look from gardeners seeking low-maintenance groundcover options.
What Exactly Is Selfheal?
Selfheal is a perennial forb, which simply means it’s an herbaceous plant that comes back year after year without developing woody stems. As a member of the mint family, it shares that family’s characteristic square stems and opposite leaves, though it’s much more restrained in its spreading habits than some of its more aggressive relatives.
This hardy little plant forms low mats that rarely exceed 6-12 inches in height, making it an excellent groundcover for areas where you want something green but not necessarily pristine. The small, tubular flowers range from deep purple to blue-violet and are arranged in dense, cylindrical spikes that appear from late spring through fall.
Where Does Selfheal Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting with selfheal’s geography. While it’s native to Alaska and St. Pierre and Miquelon, its status varies across North America. In Hawaii, it’s considered a non-native species that has naturalized and reproduces on its own. Throughout most of the continent, you’ll find it growing everywhere from Alberta to Alabama, and from British Columbia to Florida – essentially covering almost every state and province in North America.
This widespread distribution speaks to selfheal’s remarkable adaptability, but it also means gardeners should consider their local native plant alternatives before planting it.
The Case for Growing Selfheal
So why might you want to invite selfheal into your garden? Here are some compelling reasons:
- Pollinator magnet: Those small purple flowers are absolute bee magnets, providing nectar for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies throughout the growing season
- Extremely low maintenance: Once established, selfheal pretty much takes care of itself
- Drought tolerant: After the first year, it can handle dry spells without breaking a sweat
- Versatile growing conditions: Happy in full sun to partial shade and adaptable to various soil types
- Long blooming period: Flowers from late spring through fall, providing consistent color
- Historical significance: As the name suggests, it has a long history of medicinal use
Perfect Spots for Selfheal
Selfheal shines in casual, low-maintenance garden settings. Consider it for:
- Naturalized meadow areas
- Herb or cottage gardens
- Groundcover under trees
- Areas where traditional lawn struggles
- Pollinator gardens
- Rain gardens (it tolerates occasional wet feet)
It’s particularly useful in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, where it can handle both cold winters and hot summers with aplomb.
Growing Selfheal Successfully
The beauty of selfheal lies in its simplicity. Here’s how to get it established:
Planting: Sow seeds in spring or fall, barely covering them with soil. You can also start with transplants if you prefer instant gratification. Space plants about 12 inches apart if you’re planting multiples – they’ll fill in the gaps on their own.
Soil requirements: Selfheal is remarkably unfussy about soil. It grows in everything from sandy to clay soils, though it prefers something reasonably well-draining. It doesn’t need rich, fertile soil and actually performs well in average to poor soils.
Watering: Water regularly the first year to establish the root system, then step back and let nature take over. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.
Maintenance: This is where selfheal really shines – there’s virtually no maintenance required. You can mow it down after flowering if you want to prevent self-seeding, but many gardeners appreciate its ability to spread naturally.
A Word of Caution (And Some Alternatives)
While selfheal isn’t known to be invasive in most areas, its ability to self-seed and spread means it can pop up where you don’t expect it. Some gardeners love this spontaneous behavior, while others prefer more predictable plants.
If you’re committed to using only native plants in your local area, consider these alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Wild ginger for shady groundcover
- Wild strawberry for sunny to partially shady areas
- Native sedges for lawn alternatives
- Regional wildflowers for pollinator support
The Bottom Line on Selfheal
Selfheal might not be the flashiest plant in your garden, but it’s definitely one of the most reliable. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance groundcover that supports pollinators and doesn’t demand constant attention, selfheal could be your new best friend. Just remember to check what’s native in your specific area first – Mother Nature always appreciates it when we give local plants the starring roles in our gardens.
Whether you’re a beginning gardener looking for something foolproof or an experienced gardener seeking to fill a tricky spot, selfheal proves that sometimes the most humble plants make the most dependable garden companions.
