Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade and will scorch in direct afternoon sun.

How do I keep it healthy?

Keep the soil consistently moist and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.

Plant guide

Lungwort.

Pulmonaria officinalis

Pronounced pul-mo-NAIR-ee-uh oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss

Also known as Common Lungwort, Jerusalem cowslip, Jerusalem-sage, Joseph-and-Mary, Lungwort, Mary-spilt-the-milk, bloody-butcher

Lungwort is a charming, shade loving perennial known for its spotted foliage and early spring blooms. It adds a lovely touch of color to woodland gardens when many other plants are still waking up. You will find it is quite hardy and easy to keep happy in the right spot.

Another photo of Lungwort — Photo by daisyfinniear (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves during hot, dry spells. A layer of mulch helps keep the roots cool and damp.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once in early spring as new growth appears.
Pruning: Cut back the foliage after flowering to encourage fresh, healthy leaves for the rest of the season.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years in spring or fall to keep the plant vigorous.
Soil: Humus rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth during the active season.
Soil drying out much faster than usual.

Safety

People: The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver damage if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The bristly hairs on the foliage may cause mild skin irritation if handled by children.
Contact allergens: The leaves are covered in stiff, bristly hairs that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided for consumption.

How to identify it

White spotted dark green leaves
Funnel shaped flowers
Flowers shift from pink to blue
Hairy textured foliage
Low growing basal rosette

Height: 0.2 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, white, semi-evergreen
Flowers: pink, blue, purple, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back any tattered foliage in late winter to make room for fresh spring growth. Mulch lightly if you live in a region with severe frost cycles.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot is at least 25 cm deep and has good drainage.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring or autumn.
2. Gently pull the root mass apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in moist, organic soil.

Pair with other shade lovers that have different leaf textures to create visual interest throughout the season.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar light and moisture requirements for a lush shade display.
Bleeding Heart · The delicate flowers of the bleeding heart contrast beautifully with the spotted foliage.
Ferns · Ferns provide a structural backdrop that highlights the unique leaf patterns.

Similar species

Red Lungwort · It has similar growth habits but produces coral red flowers.
Bethlehem Sage · It features more pronounced silver spotting on the leaves.

Science

Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Pulmonaria
Order: Boraginales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and Eastern Europe
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in the cool, moist, and shaded understory of deciduous forests.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: shade garden, ground cover, woodland border

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade and will scorch in direct afternoon sun.
How do I keep it healthy?: Keep the soil consistently moist and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pulmonaria comes from the Latin word for lung, referring to the spotted leaves. The specific epithet officinalis indicates its historical status as a medicinal plant.

Good to know

The flowers change color from pink to blue as they age due to changes in pH levels.
It is a classic choice for brightening up dark, shaded corners of the garden.
The name lungwort comes from the historical belief that it could treat respiratory ailments.

Also in

Plants for shade

Keep your lungwort growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.