Prostrate speedwell Veronica prostrata
Prostrate speedwell (Veronica prostrata) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Plantaginaceae family, native to Dry grassland and rocky slopes of Europe to western Asia. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Prostrate speedwell in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Prostrate speedwell at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Dry grassland and rocky slopes of Europe to western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Prostrate speedwell toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous (ASPCA lists veronicas as non-toxic).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Prostrate speedwell
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Prostrate speedwell
- How far apart should I plant Prostrate speedwell?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Prostrate speedwell need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Prostrate speedwell need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Prostrate speedwell?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Prostrate speedwell flower?
- From about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Prostrate speedwell poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous (ASPCA lists veronicas as non-toxic).
- What grows well with Prostrate speedwell?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Prostrate speedwell. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- A low mat of small, toothed leaves smothered in late spring with short spikes of intense blue flowers (‘Trehane’ has golden leaves). Easy at the front of a sunny rock garden.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
- Penstemon (beardtongue) Penstemon digitalis
- Hebe Veronica speciosa
- Fairy foxglove Erinus alpinus
- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia