Speedwell

It’s been said the name of this plant comes from its rapidity in managing health problems.

Speedwell (Veronica) is a low-maintenance ornamental plant that bears either blue, pink, or white blooms. They are formerly a member of the figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family and are closely related to plantains.

Speedwell was later reclassified in the Plantaginaceae family. This plant is abundant all over the world with around 500 plant varieties. These varieties range from creeping groundcovers to prostrate and upright plants. The season from spring to fall marks the blooming stage of speedwells.

Speedwell was a popular European tea used by the French in the 19th century. It is also used as a kitchen herb or a medicinal herb for treating various ailments. Medicinal speedwell plants are sold in plant centers and online shops. These plants are also abundant even in roadsides and waste places if you know how to find one.

Short History Of Speedwell

Speedwell is a tough plant that can grow almost anywhere in the world. Its long history takes it back to ancient Christianity where its Latin name or genus Veronica came from. St. Veronica was the woman who wiped Jesus’ face with her veil as He was carrying the cross to Calvary. It was said that His face was miraculously embedded into her veil. And accordingly, the blue speedwell flower becomes a reminiscence of Jesus’ blue eyes.

The plant was popular in ancient Macedonia where it held symbolic meaning. Speedwell flower means protection, healing, and joy. The deepest meaning of the plant, however, is faith.

Where This Plant Is Found

Speedwells grow abundantly all over the world in different varieties and species. The native varieties originate in North America and others thrive in Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

A tough and highly resistant plant, speedwell proliferates even in various environmental conditions. They are most abundant in places where they can get full sun and in well-drained soil like farm fields. Some speedwell species abound in wetlands.

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How To Identify Speedwell

With hundreds of varieties, speedwell becomes a bit difficult to distinguish. But generally, the common speedwell grows close to the ground but is a bit prostrate. Their leaves are simple and their flowers are small. Underneath these flowers grow the seed pods shaped like a heart.

• Leaf. Speedwell leaves grow alternately on the opposite side of the stem with an oval shape and serrated margins. These margins can be rounded or pointed depending on the variety. The speedwell leaves are tiny and numerous and have sparsely growing hairs.
• Flower. The speedwell stem may bear a single funnel-shaped flower or a dense cluster. Its colors also vary depending on their varieties like white, blue, pink, or purple. These tiny flowers have four petals and often have veins or stripes. The four petals are not similarly shaped and colored. The smallest petal always has the palest color among them.
• Roots. Speedwells have shallow and fibrous roots that can grow from nodes and have a slender stolon. These adventitious masses of roots enable the plant to spread rapidly, making them invasive for the garden.
• Stem. Speedwell plants are characterized by a roundish stem with sparse to dense-growing hairs in uniform distribution within its stalk. Some varieties of speedwell have stems that are creeping while others are upright and angled outward. The plant height varies from 3 up to 48 inches high with its tips turning upward.
• Seeds. The common speedwell develops a heart-shaped fruit that contains its seeds. It is about 1 mm in size where each pod can contain 12 up to 24 seeds. But, it can also vary between speedwell varieties. These tiny seeds have disk-like shapes and are almost often brown.

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Common Varieties Of Speedwell

• Common Speedwell (Veronica officinalis)  is native to Europe and Asia. It grows in mats with short vertical shoots and softly-haired stems and leaves. It is a medicinal herb that is used as a tea substitute.
• Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica): This grassy type of Veronica thrives in meadows, fields, and even in disturbed areas. Persian speedwell, or common field speedwell, originates from the British Isle. They are excellent groundcover for lawns with their dense growth. However, they are sometimes considered as obtrusive weeds in garden beds.
• American Speedwell (Veronica americana): This variety is abundant in the temperate parts of Asia and North America. The plant serves both as a food and medicine with a flavor similar to that of watercress.
• Prostrate Speedwell (Veronica prostrata): The prostrate speedwells are perennial plants native to Europe. They are notable for their mat-forming foliage and prostrate stems. They are best used as ground covers for rock and cottage gardens as well as in container gardening.
• Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata): Spiked varieties have more erect stems and grow up to 60 cm tall. They have purplish-blue flowers with only four petals growing in spikes. These varieties are mostly considered for cut flowers and garden borders.

How To Grow Speedwell

Speedwells are quite tough and drought-resistant. They thrive better in an environment where they can get full to partial shade with some species tolerant in wetlands. All speedwell varieties are easy to grow and require less maintenance. You will only need occasional trimming if they grow in unwanted places within the garden.

The speedwell variety that you need will depend on how you intend to use them. If you are after groundcovers, choose the speedwell varieties that grow close to the ground like the Persian or Prostrate varieties. For your edging and borders, low-growing and tall varieties are excellent options.

Veronicas grow by seeding, dividing, or cuttings. They can tolerate various environmental conditions too. But if you want them to grow really well, they will flourish particularly under the full sun with loamy and well-draining soil.

Early spring is the best time for sowing speedwell. You may also do this in the early autumn or when the winter is still mild. If using seeds, you can sow them indoors for at least eight weeks before transplanting. Or, you can also sow the seeds directly in the field at a 20 to 25 cm distance.

Plant speedwell by digging a hole in the soil and placing the seedling or cutting in it. The root ball of the plant should be level with the soil surface. Gently tamp down the soil around and water it well. Speedwell can survive the drought, but keeping the soil slightly moist will keep them lush and healthy.

Tips:

Speedwell requires minimum maintenance and here are some care tips in keeping them vigorous and dense:

• Water the plant every week in summer or when the rain is scarce. Avoid permanent watering or waterlogging.
• Veronica thrives in slightly acidic soil.
• Divide the plant after every few years to maximize its bloom.
• Remove the faded spikes to facilitate stalking and blooming.
• Cut back plants to the ground during autumn or after the first frost.
• A small dose of fertilizer before flowering is good, but fertilizing the plant throughout its growth stage is not necessary.

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How To Harvest Speedwell

Speedwell, as an herb, has valuable medicinal properties. Thus, aside from horticulture, they are also cultivated for treating illnesses like respiratory problems and gout. You can also harvest its flower to use as tea or add on salad and vegetable mixes. The flowers are also harvested, dried, and stored for infusions.

When using it as herbal medicine, it is best harvested before its flowering stage. The plants mostly bloom from June to August. You can start foraging for speedwell around the end of June.

Harvesting speedwell can be tricky since they can intermingle with other plants with their creeping characteristic. Thus, you need to be sure to sort out plants if harvesting in bulk. You can snip the plant just above its root or cut it at about four inches above the ground.

Wash the plants after harvesting and air-dry them in the shade completely before storing them. You can store them in an airtight or vacuum-sealed container until it is ready to use.

What Speedwell Is Good For And Natural Remedies Made From It

Speedwell is famously prepared as tea using dried flowers. It is a diuretic that is useful for treating tissue swelling or edema and high blood pressure. It is also a stomachic that helps ease digestive issues.

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Veronica is also an excellent herb for treating respiratory problems like cough and congestion. This healthy and relaxing tonic may even aid in alleviating gout and ulcers.

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Externally, speedwell is used as a lotion or wash for irritated and infected skin. It can also ease irritation caused by insect bites and pain in burns. A decoction of speedwell herb is added to a bath to cure these external problems. Additionally, speedwell tea can also cure gingivitis when used as a mouthwash.

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What Part Of Plants Are Used As Remedies

The whole speedwell plant is used as remedies. The above-ground parts are edible and can be eaten raw. These are either made into teas or juices or added into food. The entire herb and flower, either fresh or dried, have potent properties for the relief of various health problems. Dried speedwell leaves also make an excellent ingredient for tea blends.

Speedwell Foot Bath

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. of dried speedwell
• 2 cups of water

Steps:

1. Add dried speedwell and water to a small pot. Place the pot on the stove. Bring to a gentle boil in low-medium heat. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for at least 45 minutes, covered.
2. Remove from heat. Strain and set aside to cool to a temperature tolerable to your skin.

How To Use The Remedy

Once cooled, mix the decoction to your foot bath. Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes.

What Plants Resemble Speedwell

Feature	Speedwell (Veronica)	Ground Ivy (Glecoma hederacae)	Henbit Weed (Lamium amplexicaule)
Size	Height: 3 to 48 inches Width: 8 to 24 inches	Height: 12 to 20 inches Width: up to 30 inches	Height: up to 15 inches Width: 12 inches
Leaves	Oval or ellipse, almost heart-shaped with serrated margins; sparse hair	Heart-shaped with scalloped margins	Wedge-shaped with converging edges; hairs on the upper side only
Flowers	Funnel-shaped and bilaterally symmetrical; white, blue, pink, purple; four petals	Long and tubular, two-lipped flowers in a whorl; purple	Two-lipped tiny tubular purple flower in whorls
Stem	Roundish with sparse or dense hair	Herbaceous square stems	Square and hairy stems
Scent	No fragrance	Musky mint odor	Earthy scent

Warnings and Cautions:

With about 500 varieties, Veronica is sometimes confusing to identify and distinguish from its kind. Be careful so as not to confuse it with other plants. Speedwell itself has no known toxicity and is safe when taken in moderate amounts. It has no known side effects, but only a few scientific evidence back its effectiveness.

Its safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women is not yet established. Thus, it is better avoided by people in these groups.

Natural products are not always considered safe and need the appropriate dosing. Consult your pharmacist or a healthcare professional for the proper dosage of speedwell.

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