Hedge woundwort.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Indoor light

Medium light

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Early to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its native woodland environment. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant does not tolerate drought well. It can be quite vigorous, so keep an eye on its spread if you have limited space.

Watering

Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage a tidy appearance.

Repotting

Divide the plant in spring if it becomes too crowded.

Soil

Moist, humus rich soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic, but it is not intended for culinary use.

Children

Keep children away from the foliage as the fine hairs can be irritating to the skin.

Contact allergens

The leaves have fine hairs that can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause mild reactions in those with seasonal allergies.

Edibility

This plant is generally considered non-edible and may cause digestive upset if consumed.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped, serrated green leaves
• Spikes of dark purple flowers
• Square stems typical of mint family
• Distinctive unpleasant odor when crushed

Height

0.3 to 1m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

purple, maroon, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that appears as white dusty spots on the leaves during humid weather.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant this in a woodland border where it can naturalize alongside other shade-loving perennials.

Grows well with

• Foxglove — They share similar light and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
• Ferns — Ferns provide a nice textural contrast to the foliage of the woundwort.

Similar species

• Marsh woundwort — It is a close relative that prefers wetter soil conditions.

Science

Family

Lamiaceae

Genus

Stachys

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and parts of Asia.

Conservation

It is a common woodland plant and is not currently under threat.

It grows in moist, shaded woodland soils where it competes with other understory plants.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

woodland gardens, shade groundcover, pollinator habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it spread aggressively?

It can spread by rhizomes, so it is best suited for areas where it has room to roam.

Can I grow it in full sun?

It prefers partial to full shade and may wilt in intense, direct sunlight.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Stachys comes from the Greek word for ear of grain, referring to the flower spike shape. The species name sylvatica refers to its natural woodland habitat.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as hedge woundwort.
• The specific epithet sylvatica means of the woods.
• It thrives in the dappled shade of deciduous forests.
• The flowers are arranged in whorls along the stem.

Also in

• Plants for shade