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Native Plant Society of Texas

Common Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris

Other common name(s):

Heal All, Selfheal

Family:

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.5
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium, High

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Woodland, Variable

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple, White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies, Beetles, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Spreads quickly. It can adapt to a variety of soil, moisture, and light conditions. In very hot areas, provide a location that is protected from the hot afternoon sun. Grows from short rhizomes to form a dense mat. It can be used as a groundcover or for erosion control. Can even be mowed, but this will reduce pollinator benefit. Native habitat: disturbed soils such as pasturelands and roadsides, as well as moist edges of forests.

Description

Blooms May-September. A low growing perennial. The square stem has dense, cylindrical, terminal spikes of purple flowers and overlapping hairy bracts. The plant flowers when only 2″ tall and is common in lawns. The spikes elongate after flowering. The fruit is a smooth, round, nutlet. Larval host: Clouded Sulphur.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Seeds can be sown on-site in densities that are varied according to desired germination and survival outcomes. Plant mortality should be factored into any restoration project using Prunella vulgaris seeds on-site (in situ). When seeds are grown in greenhouses or cold frames, they are transplanted (approximately eight weeks when they are large enough to handle. Germination occurs within two to three weeks. Seed collection is most easily accomplished by collecting flower heads at the end of their growing season 1) https://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/prunella_vulgaris.htm#:~:text=Soil%20requirements%20are%20not%20exacting,moist%20in%20full%2Dsun%20plantings. 2) https://wikis.evergreen.edu/pugetprairieplants/index.php/Prunella_vulgaris#:~:text=Seeds%20can%20be%20started%20in,late%20Fall%20to%20early%20Spring. 3) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/prunella-vulgaris
Stolon Cutting Propagation by stolon yields larger plants in a shorter amount of growing time. Stolons root wherever they touch soil. Stolon collection can occur whenever rooting stolons can be found. 1) https://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/prunella_vulgaris.htm#:~:text=Soil%20requirements%20are%20not%20exacting,moist%20in%20full%2Dsun%20plantings. 2) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/prunella-vulgaris
Seed Stratification Cold-stratify seeds for approximately one month. Seeds can be started in flats, and when the plants are large enough to handle (approximately eight weeks [3]) they can be transplanted into individual pots and grown to the desired size https://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/prunella_vulgaris.htm#:~:text=Soil%20requirements%20are%20not%20exacting,moist%20in%20full%2Dsun%20plantings

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason