Chinese skullcap

Scutellaria baicalensis

Drought-tolerant blue-flowered perennial with a different chemistry from American skullcap. Roots ("huang qin") are a major TCM anti-inflammatory.

Hardiness ratings

Chinese skullcap hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–4 −15 °C to 5 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Different medicinal profile from American skullcap (S. lateriflora) — both genuinely useful but for different indications
  • Roots harvested after 3–4 years
  • Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before using any plant medicinally

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Chinese skullcap against your zones

Reference

Chinese skullcap on Wikipedia