Lance-Leaved Heal-All

Lance-leaved heal-all is a low-growing perennial in the mint family native to grasslands, meadows, forest edges, and disturbed sites across North America. It forms spreading mats of lance-shaped leaves and produces dense, square spikes of purple to violet flowers, which are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It grows best in shade or part shade, but can handle sun as long as it doesn’t dry out. Ecologically, it serves as an important nectar and pollen source, especially for native bumblebees, and contributes to groundcover diversity in a wide range of habitats. Historically, lance-leaved heal-all was also valued in traditional medicine for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Our native heal-all is taller with bigger flowers and longer leaves than the nonnative common heal-all (Prunella vulgaris var. vulgaris), which is more likely to grow in lawns and act weedy.