Skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

herb

Mad-dog skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a slender North American perennial of moist meadows, stream banks, and wet woods, named for the small helmet- or cap-shaped blue flowers that line one side of its branching stems. Growing 1 to 3 ft tall, it is a refined, somewhat understated mint-family plant, harvested as the leafy flowering tops. It is happiest in cool, damp, partly shaded ground that mimics its native streamside habitat, and it draws bees to its summer flowers. Some patience is needed to start it, but an established stand returns reliably each year.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Lemon Balm — Another mild mint-family herb that enjoys the same moist, part-shaded ground
• Valerian — Shares the rich, damp conditions and pairs in a quiet herb bed
• Chamomile — An easygoing companion that draws pollinators alongside the skullcap flowers

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Aphids →

  Rinse colonies from the soft growth; ladybugs and lacewings help outdoors

• Slugs →

  A risk in the damp, shaded bed - use grit, traps, or nightly hand-picking

• Powdery mildew →

  Ensure airflow and avoid overhead watering in humid, crowded conditions

🌾 Harvest & storage

Harvest the leafy flowering tops in summer when the plant is in full bloom, cutting the upper third of the stems and drying them quickly in a shaded, airy place to preserve color and aroma. Cutting in bloom often prompts a lighter second flush. The herb is dried for tea and tincture; handle it gently and dry it thoroughly, as the fine material can mold if packed damp.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Skullcap is grown strictly as a traditional herbal-tea and tincture plant, not as a food - the dried leafy flowering tops are steeped into a mild tea. In the garden it earns its place as a graceful native perennial that feeds bees and thrives in the damp, shady spots where many herbs will not.