{"product_id":"skullcap-seeds-scutellaria-lateriflora","title":"Skullcap Seeds (Scutellaria lateriflora)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkullcap\u003c\/b\u003e (\u003ci\u003eScutellaria lateriflora\u003c\/i\u003e), also known as American Skullcap or Mad Dog Skullcap. Native to North America’s moist woodlands and riverbanks, this resilient perennial herb is revered by herbalists around the globe for its profound relaxing, nervine properties and delicate, helmet-shaped lavender-blue flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkullcap forms a branching mound of tooth-edged green foliage that comes alive in mid-to-late summer with delicate, tubular blue blossoms. Highly sought-after by apothecary gardens and tea enthusiasts, its aerial parts (leaves and stems) are traditionally harvested and dried to craft deeply calming herbal infusions, tinctures, and night-time tea blends. Beyond its medicinal utility, Skullcap is a ecological asset in the garden—its nectar-rich blooms serve as a magnet for native bees, butterflies, and beneficial pollinators throughout the warmer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedicinal Herb:\u003c\/b\u003e Celebrated in traditional herbalism as a soothing nervine, ideal for relaxing teas and botanical remedies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinator Magnet:\u003c\/b\u003e The unique, helmet-like blue blossoms draw a steady stream of beneficial bees and butterflies to your patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardy Perennial:\u003c\/b\u003e Returns year after year, forming an increasingly lush and productive patch once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVersatile Garden Fit:\u003c\/b\u003e Thrives in moist, partially shaded garden beds where other sunny herbs might struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGourmet Tea Essential:\u003c\/b\u003e Fresh or dried leaves yield a delicate, earthy, and soothing herbal infusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Information (Australia):\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eScutellaria lateriflora\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Herbaceous Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSowing Season:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperate\/Cool (e.g., Victoria, Tasmania):\u003c\/b\u003e Late Winter to Early Spring (indoors\/shadehouse) or Autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubtropical \u0026amp; Tropical:\u003c\/b\u003e Autumn to Early Spring (avoiding severe mid-summer heat).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Position:\u003c\/b\u003e Full Sun to Part Shade (prefers morning sun with afternoon shade in hotter regions).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSowing Depth:\u003c\/b\u003e Surface sow (0.1–0.2cm). \u003ci\u003eRequires light to germinate; press seeds gently into moist potting mix without burying deeply.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Spacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 30–45cm apart between plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 45–60cm tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermination Temp:\u003c\/b\u003e 15°C–21°C. \u003ci\u003e(Benefit Tip: Cold stratification for 2–4 weeks in a moist paper towel inside the fridge prior to sowing significantly improves germination rates).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermination Time:\u003c\/b\u003e 14–28 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeed to Bloom\/Harvest Time:\u003c\/b\u003e 100–120 days (harvest foliage when flowers just begin to open in mid-summer).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGardener’s Tip:\u003c\/b\u003e Skullcap naturally grows in damp, fertile soils near waterways. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged), especially during hot summer spells. Harvest the top third of the foliage when the blue flowers first appear—this encourages a bushier habit and a second flush of foliage before winter dormancy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Gatherer Forager","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54068315226385,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/4323\/7905\/files\/Skullcap_seeds_Tasmania.png?v=1785469220","url":"https:\/\/www.gathererforager.com\/products\/skullcap-seeds-scutellaria-lateriflora","provider":"Gatherer Forager","version":"1.0","type":"link"}