Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) grows about a foot wide and 6 to 8 inches tall. It has soft, fuzzy silver-green foliage that practically begs to be touched. Some varieties of lamb’s ear flower in late spring to early summer, sending up lavender-colored flowering spikes up to a foot in height.
If you’d prefer lamb’s ear that doesn’t flower, try S. byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ or S. byzantina‘Helen von Stein’, two varieties of this plant that do not bloom.
Lamb’s ear’s genus, Stachys, derives from a Greek word that means “ear of grain.” The second part of its name, byzantina, refers to the ancient Byzantine Empire of the Middle East, which also happens to be the area that lamb’s ear is native to, particularly Iran, Armenia, and Turkey.
Warning: This Plant Is Invasive
Lamb’s ear likes to spread. On the plus side, this makes it an excellent plant to use as a ground cover. On the minus side, this means it can sometimes be considered invasive. It’s prone to out-of-control spreading particularly in the warmer growing zones. Therefore, be sure to check with your local agricultural extension office before planting lamb’s ear in your landscaping, and be aware of this potential problem when planning your garden.
Where Does Lamb’s Ear Grow Best?
Lamb’s ear thrives in USDA growing zones 4 through 10 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It’s an excellent choice for sandy, stony, or other poor soils that are well-drained, as it prefers this kind of soil. Lamb’s ear will in fact fail to thrive in nitrogren-rich soils. They’re easy to grow and hard to kill.
Because of its touch-inviting velvety texture, lamb’s ear is ideal for children’s gardens. Its spreading nature makes it a very good ground cover. Lamb’s ear is also popular in edging gardens and in borders. Just be careful not to let it spread too far afield.
It’s also great for rock gardens because it tolerates drought well, and its silver/gray/green color makes it an interesting choice when landscaping with color.
Care for Lamb’s Ear
Honestly, caring for lamb’s ear is quite easy. Just be sure to plant it in a well-drained soil. This plant does not like too much water, so plant away from sprinkler systems and avoid overwatering. Also, don’t water lamb’s ear from overhead: the moisture can lead to the leaves rotting. To keep lower leaves from browning or rotting, mulch beneath the plants.
Armed with the information above, there’s no need to wonder “What is a lamb’s ear plant?” any longer. Consider planting this easy to care for perennial in your own flower or herb gardens, and be sure to let the kids touch them!
