Adder’s head, Echium vulgare – care tips

There are around 50 Natterkopf species, but many in warmer climes. Numerous species are very nice to look at, but unfortunately not winter hardy. They can only be cultivated in pots and have to overwinter frost-free and light. But that doesn’t scare lovers of plants.

• Italian adder head – Echium italicum – very hairy plant, biennial, 40 to 100 cm high, spike-like inflorescence, flowers yellowish, pink or bluish-white, native to southern and central southern Europe
• Plantain-leaved adder head – Echium plantagineum – pubescent, hairy plant, 20 to 60 cm high, flowers initially blue, later purple-pink, flowering June to August, sensitive to frost, comes from the Mediterranean area
• White anaga snake head – Echium simplex – comes from Tenerife, very large leaf rosette, leaves up to 40 cm long and narrow, inflorescence only after 4 to 5 years, up to 3 m high, not winter hardy
• Wildprets Natterkopf – Echium wildpretii – perennial, up to 3 m high, flowers red or pink, finally blue, occur – on La Palme and Tenerife, not hardy, flowering period June to August
• Giant snake head – Echium pininana – up to 4 m high, up to 50 cm long, narrow leaves, inflorescence also leafed through, flowers blue to purple, rarely white with blue veins, comes from the Canary Island of La Palma, not hardy
• Hierro-Natterkopf – Echium hirrense – densely branched shrubs up to 1.5 m high, short, stalked leaves, cylindrical inflorescences, white to pale blue flowers, comes from the Canary Island Hierro, not hardy
• Gentian-like snake head – Echium gentianoides – heavily branched shrub, up to 70 cm high, small, lanceolate leaves, blue-violet flowers, similar to gentian, comes from La Palma
• Russian Natterkopf – Echium russicum – wine-red flower candles, bright and iridescent, up to 60 cm long flower candles, flowering June to August, 40 to 80 cm high, very hardy, comes from Eastern Europe

The care

The common adder head is extremely easy to care for and frugal. The plants grow quickly. In the first year the typical leaf rosette is formed, in the second year a strong stem. In good conditions, several stems can grow out of a rosette. This snake head is ideal for grounding roses. In the past the plants were used for medicinal purposes, in naturopathy. They were mainly used for bites from the poisonous adder.

Echium vulgare are very frugal in their care. They like a warm, dry place and a nutrient-poor, well-drained substrate. You only have to water in the beginning, until the plants have grown well. Then they fetch water from great depths with their taproot. Snake heads cope well with drought, but not at all with waterlogging. It doesn’t have to be fertilized. There’s not much work to do with editing either. Once a year, the entire plant is cut off just above the ground. It dies after flowering and can be disposed of. If you want to prevent self-sowing, you have to cut off the faded inflorescences. Wintering is not a problem, the plants are sufficiently hardy. The propagation takes place via sowing, also self-sowing. Diseases and pests are extremely rare.

location

The adder’s head is a frugal little plant. It can also cope with extremely dry soils, which is due to the fact that it can stretch its taproot to a depth of 2.5 m. Soil that is too moist and that lasts for a long time is absolutely harmful to the plants.

• Full sun
• Dry
• Warm
• Also tolerates extremely dry soil
• Don’t like shadow

Plant substrate

When it comes to the plant substrate, it is important that it is dry and rather lean. Too many nutrients are unfavorable, as is a substrate that is too humus. Here, too, it is important that waterlogging is prevented. Make heavy soils more permeable with gravel or sand.

• Dry
• Stony
• Absolutely permeable
• Not very nutritious
• Tolerates acidic as well as neutral or calcareous or alkaline soil
• Can also cope with heavier floors
• No very humus and nutrient-rich soils

plant

There is not much to consider when planting. The ground must be prepared accordingly. Soil that is too heavy should be prepared; it can be made more permeable with gravel or sand. Soils that are too rich in nutrients are made lean with sand.

• Adapt the floor to the requirements according to the circumstances.
• Handle the young plants or seedlings with care.
• Planting distance 40 cm
• 6 plants per m²
• Water carefully after planting and water again and again over the next few weeks until the plants have grown on.

Watering and fertilizing

The adder’s head doesn’t need a lot of water. On the one hand it supplies itself with it through its taproot from the depths, on the other hand its thick leaf skin protects it from excessive evaporation in the sun. The numerous hairs on the leaves are also very helpful. They let dew condense and so the plant gets additional liquid. They also protect against predators.

• Very undemanding
• Only does not tolerate waterlogging
• Pay attention to good drainage
• Always water when the top layer of soil has dried well
• Water regularly for young plants until they have grown
• Then water less and less so that the Natterkopf “sends out” its roots into the depths.

To cut

There is hardly any work to do with the cutting of the adder’s head. Remove the plant after flowering or after the seeds have ripened. It blooms only once and then dies. It is enough to cut them off close to the ground. Pulling out or digging out is difficult because of the deep taproot.

Overwinter

The common natterkopf is completely hardy. This cannot be said of other Natterkopf species. They come from the Mediterranean, from the islands, from warmer regions. We can only cultivate them as a container plant and have to overwinter frost-free and very light.

• Plants wither
• You cut them off after flowering and that’s enough
• They usually survive the first winter without any problems

Multiply

The common snake head is propagated by sowing. If sown immediately after ripening, the seeds will germinate in the same year. The plant belongs to the cold germs. Preculture in the vessel is possible, but actually unnecessary. Above all, it is not allowed to prefer it in the warm, that does not work.

• Sowing – sow in spring or late autumn
• If you want to germinate in the same year, sow from July to September.
• When the seedlings are of the appropriate size, plant them in the place where you want them to stay
• Pre-culture in the pot is possible

Diseases and pests

Diseases and pests are very rare. Powdery mildew can occur, especially in damp weather, if the plants have not dried off for a long time. The best thing to do is to do something preventive.

• No danger from snail damage
• Real powdery mildew – recognizable by the whitish coating on the leaves, the more harmless type of powdery mildew, easy to control because the fungus only sits on the surface and does not penetrate the leaves. Spray a mixture of water and milk (9: 1) over the plants twice a week. The milk contains microorganisms that the powdery mildew does not like. He dies. Chemistry is unnecessary in this case.

Frequently asked questions

Is the common adder’s head edible?
Yes, but only young. The young leaves can be processed raw in wild lettuce. When cooked, they can even be used as a substitute for spinach. The flowers can be used as a decoration on salads or sweet dishes.

What is the common natterhead used for in folk medicine?
The dried roots and the dried herbs are used. Among other things, the plant has a urinary effect and acts against coughs, fever and headaches. It is also used externally, for strains, sprains, bruises, some skin diseases, boils and carbuncles. The herb is collected in summer, while the roots are collected in spring or autumn. Brush the roots only roughly and do not wash them under any circumstances. They are cut into small pieces and dried in the oven at 40 ° C. Air drying is also possible, it just takes much longer.