When does Scutellaria lateriflora bloom?

Blue skullcap typically flowers from June through August, with small tubular blue to violet blossoms arranged along one side of the stem.

What growing conditions does blue skullcap prefer?

It does best in consistently moist to wet soil with part sun to part shade, often near stream banks, wet meadows, or the edges of marshes and ditches.

Do pollinators visit this plant?

Bees and butterflies regularly visit the flowers for nectar during the June to August bloom period.

How much water does Scutellaria lateriflora need?

It needs medium to consistently high soil moisture and struggles in dry conditions, since it naturally grows in damp, low lying ground.

Can blue skullcap grow in full shade?

It can tolerate shade but flowers most reliably with at least some part sun to part shade exposure each day.

Is Scullcap HOA-friendly?

Scullcap takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Scullcap

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Scutellaria lateriflora

Last reviewed: September 2026

Scutellaria lateriflora, or blue skullcap, blooms from June through August with small blue violet flowers and grows well in moist, part shaded spots like streambanks, wet meadows, and marsh edges.

Toxicity unknown

Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 8"–15" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 39 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Great Plains Piedmont Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Scullcap is a compact native perennial that produces small blue flowers along upright stems from June through August. This well-behaved plant forms neat clumps and thrives in partially shaded areas with average moisture.

Growing Scullcap

Grow Scullcap in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 8 to 15 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Scullcap takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots
Can appear weedy or unkempt during growing season
Small stature makes it look like a weed rather than intentional landscaping

Wildlife value

The tubular blue flowers are particularly attractive to native bees and provide nectar for butterflies throughout the summer months.

Common questions

When does Scutellaria lateriflora bloom?: Blue skullcap typically flowers from June through August, with small tubular blue to violet blossoms arranged along one side of the stem.
What growing conditions does blue skullcap prefer?: It does best in consistently moist to wet soil with part sun to part shade, often near stream banks, wet meadows, or the edges of marshes and ditches.
Do pollinators visit this plant?: Bees and butterflies regularly visit the flowers for nectar during the June to August bloom period.
How much water does Scutellaria lateriflora need?: It needs medium to consistently high soil moisture and struggles in dry conditions, since it naturally grows in damp, low lying ground.
Can blue skullcap grow in full shade?: It can tolerate shade but flowers most reliably with at least some part sun to part shade exposure each day.
Is Scullcap HOA-friendly?: Scullcap takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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