Lungwort: growing, care & health benefits

Lungwort is known for its healing properties. Find out everything there is to know about this charming cottage garden favourite, including its various varieties ranging from spotted to common lungwort as well as how to plant and care for them at home.

With its dainty foliage and colourful flowers, the common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is one of those plants that belongs in every garden. Lungwort is popular amongst gardeners not only because of its decorative appearance but also because it is extremely easy to care for and shade tolerant. Lungwort is said to have healing properties and has been used in traditional medicine since the 15th century to treat a variety of lung ailments. Below we will explore the healing properties of lungwort as well as how to grow it in your own garden.

Lungwort: flowering time, origin and properties

Lungwort, with its lovely appearance, is a real eye-catcher in any garden. The perennial belongs to the Boraginaceae family, which also includes borage (Borago) and comfrey (Symphytum). In addition to lungwort, the genus Pulmonaria contains several other varieties, most of which are native to Europe. The creeping perennials only grow to about 20 to 30cm in height, making them dwarfs in flower beds. However, the pulmonaria plant’s short stature does not make it any less attractive, between March and May the plants bear funnel-shaped flowers that shine in shades of red, blue, violet and, on rare occasions, white. Some lungwort varieties even change the colour of their flowers during the same flowering season. Depending on the variety, the leaves are also attractive whether green, white spotted or silver-grey. Lungwort’s stems and leaves are mostly soft-haired.

The name “lungwort” is derived from the word for “lung” in both English and Latin (“pulmo”). The reason for this unusual name is the shape of its leaves, which are said to resemble lungs. The plant has thus been used to treat lung ailments since the Middle Ages, despite being controversial today.

Lungwort varieties 

Lungwort has about 14 to 20 distinct varieties, including those found in the wild. The most well-known is common lungwort, which was long considered a medicinal plant. But other varieties are also increasingly attracting attention in horticulture. Here is a summary of the most prevalent lungwort varieties and their characteristics.

Common or spotted lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) 

• Grows 30-40cm tall
• Pink and violet-blue flowers from March to May
• Oval leaves with silvery-white spots
• Known as a medicinal plant for coughs and inflammation

Red lungwort (Pulmonaria rubra)

• Grows 20-30cm tall
• Coral red flowers from April to May
• Green, lanceolate leaves

Pulmonaria angustifolia ‘Azurea’

• Grows 15-20cm tall
• Bright blue flowers from March to April
• Lance-shaped, unspotted green leaves

Pulmonaria saccharata ‘Mrs. Moon’

• Grows 25-30cm tall
• Pink-red buds that turn into purple flowers
• Silvery spotted, lance-shaped foliage

In addition to the lungwort varieties mentioned, there are also numerous wild varieties such as Pulmonaria mollis and Pulmonaria montana, which are often endangered and therefore under special protection. 

Growing lungwort: where and when

The lovely lungwort is particularly hardy and easy to care for. However, the plant can only show these qualities if it is planted in a suitable location. A place under deciduous shrubs or trees has proven to be especially suitable as the lungwort gets enough light for its spring shoots, while its small size makes it ideal for planting underneath. Many lungwort varieties can also be planted in shady spots, but the flowering is often meagre. Lungwort is also low maintenance when it comes to its soil requirements. However, a site with nutrient- and humus-rich soil that warms in the sun is ideal. The soil must have a good water storage capacity, as lungwort is sensitive to drought. However, avoid water logging at all costs.

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There are two options when planting lungwort: pre-grown plants or sowing. Pre-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, but the best time is in April or May. Improve the soil with compost before planting to create suitable site conditions for the plants. Plant the lungwort plants 15 centimetres apart and water well. March is the best month for sowing lungwort by seed. Sow the seeds no deeper than half a centimetre into the soil as lungwort needs light to germinate. Keep the soil sufficiently moist for the first two to four weeks.

Propagation

Lungwort is not only easy to care for in the garden, but it is also simple to propagate. It is especially simple to propagate by dividing the perennial. The best time to do this is immediately after flowering in early summer. Choose a strong, healthy mother plant when dividing lungwort. With a spade or a clean, sharp knife, divide the plant into several parts directly in the bed or on a stable support. Each section should have at least two shoots (preferably more) so that it can develop into a new plant. Then, replant the removed sections at least 15 centimetres away from its neighbours.

Another option is to collect and sow lungwort seeds. However, this method is not recommended because lungwort plants easily interbreed and thus rarely produce plants with the same characteristics of the mother plant.

Pulmonaria care

Even though lungwort plants are thought to be particularly easy to care for, they do require some attention from time to time. Lungwort prefers a moderately moist soil but does not tolerate waterlogging. Water regularly especially in dry summers when planted in well-drained sandy soil. In addition, once a year in spring before flowering, apply organic fertiliser to the growing lungwort, such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food. These forest plants also love leaf humus, nettle manure and especially bark mulch.

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Although pruning is not absolutely necessary, we recommend pruning lungwort annually. Cut the plants back completely after the flowering season, i.e., around May. This stimulates new shoots, and the new lungwort leaves form a beautiful pattern. In addition, the hardy lungwort does not go away so quickly after pruning in autumn. Do not prune the plant if you would like seeds to form for sowing next year.

Lungwort: uses as a medicinal plant

For a long time, lungwort was thought to be a tried-and-true home remedy for coughs and other lung diseases. Hildegard of Bingen, a German saint, used a lungwort potion to treat respiratory problems, pulmonary congestion and pulmonary oedema. Today, however, the plant’s healing power is viewed with scepticism as there is no scientific evidence to confirm its efficacy. Hence, lungwort is hardly used in orthodox medicine and is only occasionally used as a secondary ingredient in teas.

However, common lungwort is still used in homeopathy and traditional medicine. Lungwort tea and tinctures are said to relieve complaints of the respiratory tract as well as the gastrointestinal tract and the urinary tract. Particularly the high content of mucilage polysaccharides and tannins is said to have an expectorant and soothing effect. The effectiveness of lungwort tea has not been proven, but there are no known side effects.

Want to know more about the health benefits of herbs? Find out about more health-beneficial herbs in our article 11 herbs that strengthen the immune system.