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Prunella vulgaris

Alpine Self-heal · Common Self Heal · Heal-all · Common Selfheal

Family LamiaceaeGenus Prunella

A short dense spike of violet two-lipped flowers opening from red-brown bracts, on a square stem with paired leaves.
FlowerIvar LeidusCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
Height
1.5 ft45 cmPLANTS Database
Flower
PurplePLANTS Database
Blooms
Mid SummerPLANTS Database
Native range
Afghanistan, Alabama, Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Aleutian Is. and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Growing conditions

Sun
Shade tolerance: MediumPLANTS Database
Soil
Adapted to coarse, medium, fine textured soilsPLANTS Database
Soil pH
5.4-8.0PLANTS Database
Moisture
Moisture use: MediumPLANTS Database
Watering
Drought tolerance: MediumPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

This source reports 7 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 14 days to germinate.

100% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 28, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 8 days.

53% germination in 3–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around October 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2026.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in October; up in November.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 30 days to germinate.

40% germination in 30 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 3, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 5 days.

38% germination in 5 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 29, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 28, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 365 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 15 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 8 days.

20% germination in 4–8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 29, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 28, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 365 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 12 months from start to sowing. Then 8 days to germinate.

15% germination in 8 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 15, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 365 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 12 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

3% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68Public domain
Show the original text
Prunella (Lamiaceae). P. vulgaris germ. 70L(100% in 2nd w), OT(40% in Nov. from seeds placed outdoors in Oct. and 20% in April), 40-70D(53% in 3-8 d) 70D- 40-70D(38% on 5th d), and 70 GA-3(none). This is an unusual pattern with the blocking system being destroyed by either light or a period at 40. DS also destroys the blocking system, and seeds DS 6 m germ. 27% in 1-11 w in 70D. Seeds are also dying at a moderate rate in DS so that seeds DS 1 y germ. 70D(3%), 70L(15% on 8th d), and 40-70D(20% in 4-8 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Prunella p. 68. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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