So does lungwort do well in pots? Yes, it can work fine for one to two seasons with the right setup. You need a big pot, rich soil, deep shade, and steady watering. Long term, lungwort grows best in the ground where roots can stretch and stay cool.
I tested lungwort in containers with a 'Silver Bouquet' plant for two full seasons. It lived in a 12-inch (30 cm) glazed pot on my shaded north porch. The plant bloomed well both springs but slowed down by year two. I moved it to a border last fall and it doubled in size by June.
Pots dry out much faster than garden soil thanks to air contact on all sides. Lungwort hates dry roots more than most shade plants on the market. The crown needs cool moist soil to keep silver leaves crisp and bloom counts strong each spring.
Heat builds up fast in thin plastic or terra cotta pots during summer days. The roots cook in this warm soil and growth grinds to a halt. Glazed pots and thick walled containers handle heat much better and hold moisture longer for your plant.
Potted pulmonaria needs a pot that holds at least 3 gallons (11 liters) of soil mix. A 12-inch (30 cm) wide pot counts as the bare minimum for a single plant. Go bigger if you can swing the cost and weight. A 16-inch (40 cm) pot gives roots more room to grow and soil more buffer against drying out.
Use a humus-rich potting mix that holds water without going swampy. Mix three parts quality potting soil with one part compost for the base. Add a handful of fine bark for structure. Skip cheap garden center mixes that turn to brick by August.
Check soil moisture by poking a finger into the top of the pot each morning. Water when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) feels dry to your touch. In a hot week, you may water once a day. In cool spring weather, a deep soak twice a week works fine for the plant.
Place your pot in deep shade or under a wide tree canopy. North-facing porches work great for lungwort all summer long. East-facing spots get a touch of morning sun and shade for the rest of the day. Skip south and west spots that get blast heat by 2 PM each day.
For container lungwort care, add a saucer-mounted self-watering reservoir if you plan to travel for a few days at a time. This trick keeps the soil moist for up to seven days without your input. A simple plastic tray with a wick works just as well as fancy systems.
Fertilize once a month from April through July with a balanced liquid feed at half strength. Skip feed during the hottest weeks of summer and through winter. Too much food pushes weak fast growth that flops over in any wind.
Watch your growing lungwort in pots for slow signs of stress like crispy leaf edges or wilted blooms. These hints mean the soil dries out too fast for the plant to recover. Move the pot to a cooler spot or upgrade to a bigger container right away.
Plan to lift and replant your pot lungwort to a garden bed after two seasons for best long-term health. Container life wears down even tough perennials over time. The roots get tight in the pot and food stores run low by year three. A move to open soil gives the plant fresh energy.
If you must keep lungwort in pots beyond two years, repot in fresh soil each spring. Use a slightly bigger pot or divide the clump and start fresh. Trim back any dead roots before you put the plant back into clean mix.
In my experience with a friend's apartment balcony, lungwort can shine in pots for short stretches. She grew 'Trevi Fountain' in a 14-inch glazed pot for one full summer. The plant looked amazing all season with steady watering and full shade.
Pots give you flexible spots and easy moves around your patio or balcony. Just match the size, soil, and shade to lungwort's woodland roots and you will get a fine show. Keep in mind that the ground is where this plant truly shines for the long haul.
Read the full article: Pulmonaria Plant: Complete Grower's Guide
