Heart-leaved Skullcap is a native perennial in the mint family found in the central to eastern U.S.A. It is widely variable across its range. The plant will grow up to 1-3 feet tall and produce snapdragon-like blooms most of the summer. The foliage is bitter tasting so is usually ignored by deer and rabbits. The genus name comes from the Latin word scutella meaning a small dish or saucer. Grow this plant in well-drained dry to medium soil in full to partial sun. Use in naturalized areas, meadows, in borders of cottage or English gardens and pollinator gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The green leaves are heart-shaped, up to 4 inches long and 3 inches across. The margins are crenate to serrate. The upper surface may or may not have hairs, the lower surface is somewhat light with dense to sparse hairs. The petiole is hairy.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
2-lipped lavender flowers bloom from May to July. Upper lip is hooded while the lower lip has a white patch
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
A 2-parted capsule containing nutlets. The top section falls off releasing seeds while the scooped bottom section stays on the plant. Fruit displays from June to September.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green square stems covered in whitish hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central and eastern U.S.A.
Wildlife value
This plant attracts bees and moths.
Attracts
Bees; Moths
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area; Slope/Bank; Woodland
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; English Garden; Native Garden