Skullcap is a perennial medicinal herb, long valued for its traditional uses. Notably, it stands up to deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for native bees and butterflies.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5.5-7.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
120
Score Skullcap on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether skullcap actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score skullcap against your land's real conditions.
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What Skullcap is
Skullcap grows as a perennial and reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms blue in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Skullcap
Skullcap is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting. Skullcap does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 7.5, on consistently moist ground. It needs around 1,200 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 100 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
120 days
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
1200+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
100+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant skullcap in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Skullcap prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at its peak
Harvest the part you grow skullcap for — flower, leaf, or root — at its seasonal peak.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — skullcap isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Skullcap offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Skullcap thrives
Whether skullcap thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Skullcap will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether skullcap actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Skullcap in my zone?
Zone data for skullcap is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
How long does Skullcap take to grow?
Skullcap is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting (University Extension production guides). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Skullcap?
Most growers plant skullcap after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 100-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Skullcap need?
Skullcap needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Skullcap need?
Skullcap prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7.5, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Skullcap attract pollinators?
Yes — skullcap's flowers are a solid nectar source for native bees and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Skullcap safe for pets?
Skullcap is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.