Spot On Lungwort

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Shade

(0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

14 - 16 Inches

Mature Spread

18 - 20 Inches

Growing Zones

3 to 9

Turn the lights on in shady corners with this radiant long bloomer. Spot On Lungwort (can we please think up a better common name?), shimmers in and out of bloom. Salmon-colored buds open to reveal dainty, blue, bell-shaped flowers with ruffled ends. The nodding flowers grow in clusters for a stunning impact. This beauty blooms in the spring, but the foliage continues to put on a display after the flowers fade. The broad leaves narrow to a point and are predominantly green with silver variegation, creating a speckled look.

Spot On is a type of pulmonaria, whose name, referring to the Latin for lung, reminds us of its traditional medicinal use. Both the leaves and the flowers are beautiful for arrangements. Hummingbirds and bees love it too, so you’ll be feeding essential pollinators while illuminating your garden. Deer and rabbits avoid these plants, however. Grow this plant as a perennial in zones 3 through 9.

Spot On makes a neat mound, up to 16 inches tall and a bit wider, a nice size for a filler in a shaded pot or window box, as well as an edging plant or spring focal point in a mixed border. Plant Lungwort near a building or fence in an area that receives limited light. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, so it’s excellent as a deciduous groundcover as well. Spring bulbs, heucheras, summer-blooming hostas, astilbe, and carex will create season-long beauty alongside your pulmonaria. Create a stunning mass planting or add color to a bed or border. 

Spot On Lungwort Care

Plant Lungwort in full sun to partial shade. Morning sun and afternoon shade are best. Lungwort plants prefer shade, but they are tough and can handle some sun, as long as the soil stays moist. Overly dry or hot locations with afternoon sun can encourage leaf scorch or powdery mildew, which disfigure the leaves. Deep shade, with reduced air circulation can also encourage mildew; another reason for keeping it in brighter or morning shade. 

Lungworts will happily bloom and slowly expand in a spot with evenly moist, neutral-to-alkaline, well-drained soil. Rich soil, high in organic matter is their favorite place. Clay soils would benefit from the addition of compost and/or soil conditioner. Spot On Lungwort likes damp conditions, and its leaves tend to wilt in the summer heat. Give the plant a drink when the soil is dry, about an inch of water once a week. Keep the plant watered during peak summer weather to ensure it looks its best. Spot On Lungwort is not a heavy feeder. Rich soil and a light application of balanced plant food in the spring are all this plant needs.

Trim the flower stems after the blooms fade. You can clean up any spent foliage in the spring, before or after the first flush of blooms. If you see brown tips from leaf scorch or the leaves are turning white from mildew, cut back the damage and new growth should soon follow. (If mildew is the culprit, disinfect pruners and dispose of foliage in the trash, instead of your compost.) Individual plants usually live about three years, you can give clumps a boost by dividing them every three to five years. Gently tease apart the roots, removing any tired sections, and replant.

Spot On Lungwort Spacing

Spot On Lungwort is a charming plant that makes a beautiful groundcover in a shady spot. It has a spreading habit and will reach 14 to 16 inches tall and 18 to 20 inches wide. Lungwort will fill in with time, so space plants 20 inches apart to create a dense planting.