Plants ordered today will begin shipping mid-March 2024
Skullcap, Official (Scutellaria lateriflora) potted plant, organic
$8.50 – $57.00
Family: Mint (Lamiacea)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 9
(Mad Dog Skullcap, Virginia Skullcap) Herbaceous perennial flowering blue to a height of 30 inches. Plant prefers shade and rich, moist soils. Traditional usage: TWM, sleeplessness, anxiety and depression. The plant itself is likeable and unassuming, with a multi-stemmed, upright habit, reddish stems and blue flowers protruding sideways along the stems (thus lateriflora, which is very often and incorrectly called “laterifolia” in the herb industry). Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.
Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown
Julia Mandes –
I got close to 100% germination rate, seeds set out in flats in early spring when it was still chilly. Come warm up, every cell is full, and a month+ after the first seedling emerged, new ones keep coming. Delighted!
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
Admin Richo Cech –
Other recommendations for growing this plant indoors: Due to the relatively low light requirements of this species, and its small size, it really does make a reasonable houseplant. If it gets too leggy, just cut it back and it will regrow. Propagate by division of the rhizome or individuate and pot up new shoots.
Upvote if this was helpful (4) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Watch Unwatch Flag for removal
John Burton –
Ah. Thanks for this info. I have been looking all over the internet for one piece of solid info about growing indoors year round. What happens in my northfacing window in NYC is it grows to a certain height (6-8″) flowers and then dies back completely by end of February. Then, almost right away, I start to see little green shoots popping up around the very edges of the container that then fill in slowly. Is it normal for the Skullcap to cycle like this indoors or is there something I can do to make it stay green year round. It is more decorative and symbolic (in my psychiatric office) then grown for use .. thus the wish for it to be green year round
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Dr Burton,
Thank you for contacting us. As you’ve discovered, Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a shade lover and is cyclic in its growth patterns. It is not a very showy plant and I find it quite interesting that you’ve managed to keep it in the office–no doubt the plant exerts its influence. A coupla thoughts–repot to larger pot with plenty of organic compost in the mix. Water frequently. When the plant reaches flowering stage, cut it back to 2 nodes above the earth. It should resprout and regrow as long as there is enough light and warmth. Yes, in the garden they go dormant after seeding. They are rhizomatous yet the patch can easily disappear after a year or two of growth. Scutellaria is a highly variable Genus and mysterious to an M. Please feel free to check out a different plant–Aloe sinkatana–on this website. This will do well in your situation, and the yellow flowers that appear unexpectedly will cheer up your patients. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (1) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Lila McClellan –
Are the leaves as well as the roots medicinal?
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
Hi Lila, Please refer to “Making Plant Medicine” page 264-265. The standard parts used are not the roots, rather the aerial portions. Richo
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Lila McClellan –
Is Skullcap, Helmet (Scutellaria integrifolia) or this variety Skullcap, Official (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal
Richo Cech –
This is Scutellaria lateriflora, the official species.
Upvote if this was helpful (0) Downvote if this was not helpful (0) Flag for removal