Lapsana humilis
Lapsana humilis
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. B542 — Lapsana humilis
Lapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilisLapsana humilis
IOverview
Overview
Lapsana humilis, known as Skip in English, is a biennial plant native to the southeastern regions of China, Japan, and Korea. This plant thrives in moist conditions with light soil types, including sandy, medium, and clay soils. It requires full or partial sun for optimal growth. The edible parts are its leaves, making it a valuable source of nutrition in its native range. Skip is known for its ornamental value as well, adding greenery to gardens and landscapes. Its distinctive features include its small stature, reaching only about 0.3 meters in height, and its adaptability to various soil types and light conditions.
Quick answers
What is Lapsana humilis?
Lapsana humilis, known as Skip in English, is a biennial plant native to the southeastern regions of China, Japan, and Korea. This plant thrives in moist conditions with light soil types, including sandy, medium, and clay soils. It requires full or partial sun for optimal growth.
What is Lapsana humilis used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Lapsana humilis
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Lapsana humilis has been traditionally used in East Asian medicine for digestive issues, often prepared as a decoction to soothe the stomach and aid digestion.
The mechanism is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that interact with gut motility or reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Lapsana humilis support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Lapsana humilis thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). This biennial plant grows up to 0.3 meters tall and is native to China Southeast, Japan, and Korea. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist while providing adequate sunlight. Propagation can occur through seeds, though specific methods are not detailed here. Given its natural habitat in temperate regions, it should be hardy but may require protection from extreme weather conditions. Harvest the edible leaves for use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Biennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Lapsana humilis for the first time
8steps
Skip is a straightforward biennial plant for beginners, focusing on basic care and harvesting.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, or start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before planting outdoors.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with partial sun to full sun. Ensure soil is well-draining, light, medium, or heavy but not waterlogged.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in the garden bed or start them indoors and transplant when they have two true leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist, watering regularly to prevent drying out. Thin seedlings if necessary to give each plant enough space.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water as needed to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune any dead leaves or stems to encourage new growth, and harvest young leaves for cooking when they are about 15 cm long.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil without drainage, neglecting to thin seedlings, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Lapsana humilis are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They are often prepared in similar ways to spinach, adding a mild flavor to dishes.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
3 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
3 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 3 native
Asia3 regions
native (3)ChinaJapanSouth Korea
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · b542a4d4-48a8-4be8-a1e4-c15abae468b8
Decision aid
Choosing between Lapsana humilis and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.