cancer weed
Salvia lyrata
USDA zones6 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall9 to 12 inches wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Purple
- Foliage color
- Dark green. in winter, veined with dark purple.
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Cancer weed (Salvia lyrata) is a perennial for borders, ground cover, meadows, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to wet soil of most types. Purple spring flowers give bees a long lower lip to land on, and the leaves are veined with dark purple in winter. Deer rarely make it their first choice. Mowing does not hurt it.
Pairs well with Big bluestem, Virginia spiderwort, and Indian grass.
Native range
Eastern and central United States.