How to Grow and Care for Lambies (Lamb’s Ear)

Lamb’s Ear, or Stachys byzantina, is a perennial named for its unmistakable foliage. The leaves are covered in fine, soft hairs, giving them a thick, fuzzy texture and a silvery-green appearance similar to the ears of a small lamb. This unique foliage is the primary reason it is grown, creating a soft-textured mat in garden beds.

Ideal Growing Conditions

For Lamb’s Ear to flourish, it needs a location with full sun, which promotes the densest foliage. While it can handle partial shade, especially in areas with intense afternoon heat, ample sunlight is preferred. The plant is native to rocky Middle Eastern hillsides, giving it a natural tolerance for a range of conditions once it settles into its new home.

The most important factor for success is providing well-draining soil. Lamb’s Ear is intolerant of waterlogged conditions, which can quickly lead to problems. It performs well in average or even poor soils and does not require rich ground to grow. Amending heavy clay soil to improve its drainage before planting is important for the plant’s long-term health.

Once established, Lamb’s Ear is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for low-water gardens. New transplants, however, will need consistent moisture to help their root systems develop. Mature plants require infrequent watering, typically only during extended dry spells, and it is better to water deeply but less often.

Lamb’s Ear Maintenance

Maintaining the appearance and health of a Lamb’s Ear patch involves simple but regular grooming. Over time, the lower leaves can become brown or damaged. Gently pulling these spent leaves from the base of the plant improves its appearance and increases air circulation around the crown, which is important for disease prevention.

In summer, the plant sends up tall spikes of small, purplish-pink flowers. After the blooms have faded, these flower stalks can be cut back to the base. This practice, known as deadheading, tidies the plant’s look and redirects its energy into producing its prized foliage. Some gardeners remove the flower stalks as they appear to maintain a compact, foliage-focused ground cover.

Preventing Common Issues

The fuzzy texture that makes Lamb’s Ear appealing is also its primary vulnerability. The dense leaves trap moisture from rain, humidity, or overhead watering. This creates a damp environment at the base of the plant that is susceptible to fungal diseases and rot, especially during humid summer months.

Signs of trouble appear at the plant’s crown, where the leaves meet the soil. You may notice leaves becoming mushy, brown, or black as rot sets in. To prevent this, always water the plant at its base, directing water to the soil rather than over the foliage. Providing adequate spacing between plants ensures good air circulation, which helps the leaves dry more quickly.

Planting on a slight slope or in a raised bed can improve drainage and reduce the risk of rot in regions with heavy rainfall. If a patch becomes too dense, dividing the clump every few years in the spring or fall can reinvigorate the plant and improve airflow.