Skullcap, Helmet (Scutellaria integrifolia), packet of 10 seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 5 to 11
Herbaceous perennial native to eastern and southern US. Light-purple flowers, outsized to the plant, rise on hairy stalks to a height of 24 inches. Helmet skullcap was traditionally employed by the Cherokee in much the same way as the official variety (Scutellaria lateriflora), as a nervine tonic and to allay the pain of menstrual cramps. The plant prefers moist soils in the sun to part shade. Sow in fall or spring. Barely cover seeds and tamp securely, then keep cool and moist until germination. These seeds germinated in 14 days in a cool summer greenhouse. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.
10 seeds per packet, certified organically grown
In stock
Question
Andrea –
Hi there ! Seeing lots of opinions online on whether or not various types of skullcap need to be cold stratified in order to germinate. What do you think?
My farm in Western Massachusetts is exploring growing medicinal herbs for the first time and we’re working with a lot of your beautiful seed, including Helmet Skullcap and Official Skullcap. We generally seed herbs straight into flats in our (heated) greenhouse and pot them up once they’ve got a few true leaves.
Should we cold stratify? If so, do you have a recommended approach (sand, moist paper towel…) ?
Thanks so much!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Follow the advice of the people who have the plants for sale, their method worked. The Helmet Skullcaps were easy warm-greenhouse germinators.
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alecbentley555 (verified owner) –
Hi Richo, which part of the plant to harvest and after low long? Is it the aerial part with stems and/or leaves and/or flowers or roots or both?
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Richo Cech –
I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer to this, it is not the commonly used type of skullcap. r
PS Looked into it and there are refverences of native americans using this plant (one would assume the aerial parts) in much the same way as we currently use S. lateriflora, ie as a calming nervine. richo
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