Is skullcap plant invasive?

Heartleaf Skullcap, Scutellaria ovata, is a perennial that some gardeners love to hate. … Heartleaf Skullcap is an excellent choice for filling in newly established or troubled areas and as a stunning spring-blooming, evergreen ground-cover. This perennial is an aggressive grower, but not invasive.

Where can I find a skullcap plant?

Skullcap hails from the mint family, Lamiaceae, which is easy to identify by the characteristic square stems and the jagged edges of its leaves. This perennial thrives in moist, shady riparian habitats, from forests and thickets to meadows and marshes and is a native plant of North America.

Does skullcap grow in shade?

Skullcap prefers partial shade to full sun. Water moderately, but make sure soil is well-drained.

How do you care for a skullcap plant?

Top Tips for Growing Skullcap

  1. Growing skullcap from seed works best if you do cold stratification for at least 1 week.
  2. American Skullcap can be planted anywhere from full sun to partial shade.
  3. Skullcap needs well-drained and moist soil.
  4. Keep your skullcap plants well weeded and keep that soil moist!

What grows well with skullcap?

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try planting Scutellaria incana with Aster laevis, Blephilia ciliata, Echinacea purpurea, Spigelia marilandica, Solidago juncea, Carex albicans and Waldsteinia fragarioides. Scutellaria ovata is a bit shorter and less sun tolerant but can be substituted in shaded sites.

What are the side effects of skullcap?

American skullcap

  • In the past, American skullcap has been contaminated with germander (Teucrium), a group of plants known to cause liver problems.
  • High doses of the tincture may cause giddiness, stupor, mental confusion, twitching, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

What is the difference between skullcap and Chinese skullcap?

Chinese Skullcap resembles American Skullcap, but it is a different plant. Its single stems bear a plethora of purple flowers all resembling medieval helmets, which is where the name “Skullcap” came from. Chinese Skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis, is grown as a biennial on the farm.

How tall does skullcap get?

1 to 3 feet
Skullcap Plant Care Responding well to irrigation and fertilization when situated in drier climates, growing skullcap is a hardy, herbaceous perennial herb when grown in such conditions and attains a height of 1 to 3 feet (31 cm. to just under a meter) tall.

What is Scutellaria good for?

Scutellaria baicalensis is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including hepatitis, infections, and cancer. It often is used in combination with other botanicals such as PC-SPES and sho-saiko-to.

Is Chinese skullcap safe?

Chinese skullcap is believed to be safe and well tolerated by adults. Side effects are few and may include drowsiness. People with diabetes should not take Chinese skullcap without consulting a doctor as it may lower blood sugar, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.

Can skullcap cause liver damage?

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) has been associated with cases of clinically apparent liver injury, but largely in association with other botanicals that have also been implicated in causing hepatotoxicity.

Is skullcap hard to grow?

Responding well to irrigation and fertilization when situated in drier climates, growing skullcap is a hardy, herbaceous perennial herb when grown in such conditions and attains a height of 1 to 3 feet (31 cm. to just under a meter) tall.