Speedwell

Plant family

Plantain family (Plantaginaceae)

Also known as

Bird's Eye, Gypsyweed

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Plant distance

30 cm

Row spacing

30 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm

Instructions

Description

Speedwell, all-rounder, wound healing herb, veronica or grindheil is a genus of plants belonging to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). There are about 450 species, some of which are also found in Central Europe. Annual or perennial herbaceous plants that grow between 20-200 cm tall. Common speedwell/forest speedwell or quendel speedwell are also cultivated as medicinal plants. In fields, speedwell also occurs as a weed. Usually the flowers are white-blue and purple. Insect friendly. Good ground cover.

Growing tips

Light germinator. Very different growth forms and cultivation requirements depending on the species and variety. Generally fertilize once in spring. Cut off withered shoots. Water during dry periods. Cut back 1/3 in spring. Native varieties are hardy. Self-seeding. Can also be propagated by division. To do this, cut off 15 cm long shoots with buds and plant them. The leaves and flowers can be harvested and eaten. However, the leaves are very bitter. Requirements depend on the species and variety, due to the different demands and growth habit. Some good companion plants are the tearing heart, gemswort, lungwort, elecampane, yarrow, daylilies, lady's mantle, perennial daisies, larkspur, golden sheaf, maiden's eye, roses and stonecrop. Large speedwell species should be supported and tied up.