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Native Plant Society of Texas

Heartleaf Skullcap

Scutellaria ovata

Other common name(s):

Heart-leaf Skullcap

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, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, San Antonio Prairie
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
1.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Shallow, Moist

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established. Great foliage plant in cooler months. May be dormant in hottest months. It colonizes by rhizomes and easily re-seeds. Good for borders, meadows, cottage gardens, native plant gardens, open woodland areas and naturalized areas. Oils produced by the plant may repel deer. Can be grown in container gardens. Propagation: seed, clump division.

Comments

Blooms April-July. Erect, upright form with square, pubescent stems. Leaves are heart-shaped with serrated margins. The showy blue, snapdragon like flowers bloom on spikes at the top of stems. The fruit is a nutlet.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Prepare a well-draining potting mix and moisten it. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil, lightly pressing them into the mix. Cover the pot with a plastic or glass lid to create a humid environment for the seeds. Place the pot in a bright location, but avoid direct sunlight as it may overheat and damage the seeds. Keep the soil moist and wait for the seeds to germinate. Once the seedlings have developed, you can transplant them into larger containers or outdoor garden beds. https://plantiary.com/plant/scutellaria-ovata_17490.html#:~:text=Cultivation,landscaping%20to%20promote%20local%20biodiversity.
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end into rooting hormone to stimulate root growth. Prepare a potting mix that's moist and well-draining. Make a hole in the soil and insert the cutting, gently pressing the soil around the base to support it. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a humid environment that encourages the cutting to take root. Place the pot in bright, indirect light. Check on the cutting regularly, and keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it into a larger pot or an outdoor garden bed. Choose a healthy stem from the plant and cut a piece that's around 4-6 inches long. Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting. https://plantiary.com/plant/scutellaria-ovata_17490.html#:~:text=Cultivation,landscaping%20to%20promote%20local%20biodiversity.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason