Lungwort

Pulmonaria officinalis

Lungwort is a flower in the Boraginaceae family. It grows best in part shade to shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 3-8.

Varieties

1 · sorted by days to maturity

▸Lungwort
PROPAGATION CATEGORY: Perennial (division) (not in original seed catalog). Use: Early pink-to-blue flowers; silver-spotted foliage.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is an early-blooming shade perennial whose flowers open pink and age to blue, above distinctive white-spotted leaves; an excellent woodland groundcover.
Growing notes: Botanical name: Pulmonaria officinalis|Hardiness zones: 3-8|Propagation: division|Light: Part shade to shade|Water: Medium|Mature size: 8-14 inches

Family

Boraginaceae

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At a glance

Frost tolerance

Hardy · to ~-40°F

Lowest temperature the foliage usually survives

Growing timeline

Propagation

Division

Schedule anchor

Last Frost

Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations

When to feed, prune & water

Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators

Protection

Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.
Source: UC IPM; UMN Extension
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Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.
Source: UC IPM
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Something looks wrong?

Describe what you see on your lungwortand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.

Powdery mildew

Diseasemoderate

Symptoms: white powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces; starts as spots then spreads; leaves yellow and dry under the coating

CulturalImprove airflow + remove worst leavesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Cut out the most heavily coated leaves and thin for airflow; avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
Source: UC IPM
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OrganicPotassium-bicarbonate or sulfur - label use only· every 1 wk · ~4 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply a labeled potassium-bicarbonate or sulfur fungicide weekly per the label. No sulfur within 2 weeks of oil or in high heat.
Always follow the product label — it is the law.
Source: UC IPM
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Aphids

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides; sticky honeydew or sooty mold; curled distorted new leaves; ants tending them

CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
Source: UC IPM: Aphids
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OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.
Always follow the product label — it is the law.
Source: UC IPM
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