Speedwell
Veronica spicata
flowerSpiked speedwell is a clump-forming perennial 2 to 3 ft tall that sends up dense, tapering spikes packed with small flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white from late spring into midsummer. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies, and the plant reblooms in fall if sheared after the first flush. It is a low-maintenance, long-blooming choice for sunny borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator plantings.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Bloom
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
12-18 in apart
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Planting Depth
Set the crown at the soil line
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Loamy, fertile, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 8
When to Fertilize
Light feeding in early spring
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow speedwell in full sun in fertile, loamy, well-drained soil. The single most important thing is drainage: it prefers evenly moist soil but root rot sets in if the ground stays wet, especially over winter, so avoid heavy, soggy sites. Deadhead or shear the plant down toward its basal rosette when the first bloom finishes to bring on repeat flowering in fall. Divide clumps every few years to keep them vigorous. It is otherwise an easy, durable perennial.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
Jun 14
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Salvia — Echoes the upright flower spikes and shares sun and good drainage
- Coneflower — A summer perennial that overlaps bloom and draws the same pollinators
- Daylily — A tough, sun-loving perennial that fills the border around speedwell
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The main problem, caused by wet soil especially in winter; plant in well-drained ground and avoid overwatering
White film in humid, crowded plantings; space for airflow and water at the base
Spots in wet foliage; remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Speedwell makes a good cut flower, so harvest the spikes as they open for arrangements; cutting also encourages rebloom. For garden display, shear the whole plant down to its basal rosette when the first flush finishes to prompt a second round of fall flowers.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Speedwell is an ornamental, not edible. Its value is long-lasting vertical color in the summer border, strong appeal to bees and butterflies, and an easygoing, rebloom-friendly habit. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact color is not shown.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.