Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina
Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Lamiaceae family. It grows 15–45 cm (6–18 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Lamb's ear in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lamb's ear at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 15–45 cm (6–18 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Lamb's ear toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Lamb's ear is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Lamb's ear
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Lamb's ear
- How far apart should I plant Lamb's ear?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Lamb's ear need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lamb's ear need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lamb's ear?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Lamb's ear flower?
- From about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Lamb's ear poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Lamb's ear is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Lamb's ear?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lamb's ear. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Woolly foliage rots in humid, wet conditions.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare