Looking to add softness and beauty to your garden? Lamb’s ear, with its velvety, silver-green foliage, is the perfect choice.
This hardy plant also helps suppress weeds and is pest-resistant, offering both aesthetic and practical benefits.
Whether you want a low-maintenance plant or a calming garden retreat, lamb’s ear is a your option.
Summary:
- Lamb’s ear with its velvety, silver-green foliage is a low-maintenance perennial ideal for rock gardens, borders, and mixed beds.
- You can propagate this plant by seeds or division and plant in well-draining soil.
- Thriving in full sun to partial shade, lamb’s ear requires minimal watering, suppresses weeds, and resists pests.
| Botanical Name | Stachys byzantina |
| Common name | Lamb’s ears, woolly betony |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous, perennial |
| Height | 12–18 in. tall, 12-36 in. wide |
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil | Moist, well-draining |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Flowering Season | Spring, summer |
| Habitat | Middle East |
Propagation
From Seeds
When propagating lamb’s ear from seeds, you should start a couple of months before the last spring frost.
Fill pots with potting soil and press the seeds into the surface without covering them, spacing them about 6 inches apart.
I usually keep the pots in a warm spot or on a heating mat at around 70°F (21°C) to help with germination.
Germination can take up to four weeks, so keep the soil moist and provide bright, indirect light during this time.
Division
I find the quickest and most effective way to propagate lamb’s ear is through division, best done in the spring.
To begin, lift the entire plant and its root ball from the ground. Using your hands or a sharp knife, gently separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring each has healthy roots.
You should plant these divisions immediately in well-draining soil, spacing them at least 18 inches apart to allow for growth.
Water the newly planted sections thoroughly and keep the soil moist for the first couple of weeks. Once they establish, you can water sparingly unless there’s no rainfall.
Growing Lamb’s Ear
Preparation
Choose your favorite types of lamb’s ear that you love. Here are some popular varieties:
- ‘Big Ears’ or ‘Helen von Stein’: Known for its large leaves, this popular variety can go years without blooming and has relatively good disease resistance.
- ‘Silver Carpet’: This cultivar rarely flowers and stays short, making it an excellent ground cover. Its dense, silver-gray foliage adds a soft texture to garden beds and pathways.
- ‘Cotton Ball’: This variety features compact growth with white, cotton-like flower spikes that appear in summer.
- ‘Primrose Heron’: Known for its yellowish-green new foliage that matures to silvery-gray, this variety adds a unique charm to garden settings with its changing leaf colors.
I recommend using a well-draining, sterile seed-starting mix for the best results with lamb’s ear. It’s important to check that the soil pH is slightly alkaline to neutral, ideally between 6.0 and 7.5.
You should prepare seed trays or small pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. This setup helps ensure healthy growth and avoids potential problems with excess moisture.
Grow Lamb’s Ear from Seeds
I start lamb’s ear seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. You should sow the seeds on the soil surface, pressing them lightly for germination, and space them 1-2 inches apart.
Next, keep the soil lightly misted and place trays under grow lights or in a sunny window. Seeds usually germinate at 70-75°F within 10-20 days.
Once seedlings have two true leaves, you thin them to 3-4 inches apart and gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
After the frost danger has passed, transplant the seedlings outdoors, spacing them 12-18 inches apart in well-drained soil.
I suggest pairing lamb’s ear with black-eyed susan and daylily for contrasting textures and better weed suppression.
Care for Lamb’s Ear
Here are main requirements for planting lamb’s ear successfully:
- Amend the soil with compost to enhance fertility and drainage.
- Space plants at least 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for growth.
- Water new plants until established, then limit watering to 1 inch per week.
- Apply mulch to keep the leaves close to the ground dry.
- Place in full sun for optimal growth.
Light
Lamb’s ear thrives best in full sun but can benefit from partial shade in high-heat areas to prevent leaf scorching.
While it tolerates some shade, the foliage becomes greener and less hairy. However, too much shade can lead to leggy growth.
You should ensure lamb’s ear receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal health.
Soil
Lamb’s ear prefers well-draining, slightly alkaline to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. I suggest amending the soil with compost to enhance fertility and drainage.
Rich soil should be avoided to prevent excessive spreading. Keeping the soil dry to medium-moisture is important, and using mulch helps retain moisture while keeping the leaves dry.
Water
Lamb’s ear needs minimal watering once established. Initially, you should water regularly until the plants take root.
After that, about 1 inch of water per week is sufficient, preferably in the morning to allow the foliage to dry by evening.
Overwatering should be avoided as lamb’s ear prefers dry to medium-moisture soil and doesn’t tolerate soggy conditions well.
Temperature and Humidity
Lamb’s ear thrives in temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C) and is suitable for USDA zones 4 to 9. It doesn’t do well in high humidity, as this can lead to fungal diseases.
In mild climates, lamb’s ear remains evergreen, but in colder areas, it dies back in winter and reemerges in spring.
I recommend ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering to keep the plant healthy.
Pruning
I regularly remove any dead or damaged leaves from my lamb’s ear to prevent disease. After blooming, you should trim back the flower spikes to encourage more foliage growth.
In late winter or early spring, cutting back the old growth allows new shoots to emerge. Pruning not only helps control the plant’s spread but also keeps it looking tidy and healthy.
Fertilizer
I’ve found that lamb’s ear generally doesn’t need much fertilization.
However, to promote healthy growth, you should apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to help the plant a good start for the growing season.
Pests and Diseases
Lamb’s ear is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but occasional problems can arise.
I’ve noticed aphids and spider mites sometimes infest the plant, and you can manage these with insecticidal soap.
In addition, fungal leaf diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot are more common in high humidity and poor air circulation.
You should ensure good spacing, avoid overhead watering, and promptly remove any affected leaves to prevent these issues.
Common Problems
Stunted Growth
I’ve noticed that stunted growth in lamb’s ear often results from poor soil conditions and inadequate drainage.
You can promote healthier growth by improving soil drainage and reducing watering to prevent waterlogging.
Spots on Leaves
Spots on the leaves usually indicate fungal infections caused by high humidity and poor air circulation.
You need to ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and promptly remove affected leaves to help mitigate this issue.
Rotting Leaves
Rotting leaves are typically caused by excessive moisture and high humidity, leading to decay.
To prevent this, you need to maintain well-drained soil, reduce watering, and avoid overhead watering. Besides, remove any rotting leaves promptly to keep the plant healthy.
Harvest
The best time to harvest lamb’s ear is in late spring to early summer. You should harvest it in the morning after the dew has dried for the freshest leaves.
I recommend using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Then you can collect the harvested leaves in a clean basket or container.
When cutting, make sure to cut the leaves close to the base of the plant and harvest only about a third of the plant at a time.
If you follow this method, you can get fresh lamb’s ear leaves lasting about 7-10 days with proper care.
Preservation
I’ve found that preserving lamb’s ear by drying is simple and effective. You should hang small bundles of leaves upside down in a cool, dry place with good air circulation until completely dry.
Once dried, lamb’s ear can be used in various crafts and decorative items like wreaths and dried flower arrangements.
Additionally, the dried leaves have antiseptic properties and can be used to soothe minor cuts and skin irritations.
FAQs
Is lamb’s ear a good houseplant?
Lamb’s ear can be grown indoors, but it typically prefers outdoor conditions. It thrives best with plenty of sunlight and good air circulation which can be challenging to provide indoors.
If you decide to grow it as a houseplant, place it in a bright, sunny spot and ensure the soil is well-draining.
Are lamb’s ear plants safe to touch?
Yes, lamb’s ear plants are safe to touch. Their soft, velvety leaves are not only safe but often enjoyed by gardeners for their unique texture.
However, always wash your hands after handling plants to avoid any potential irritation.
Can you dig up lamb’s ear and replant?
Yes, you can dig up lamb’s ear and replant it. This is actually a common method of propagation called division.
Carefully dig up the plant, divide it into smaller sections, and replant them in well-draining soil. Water the new plants thoroughly to help them establish.
