Lion's tail (wild dagga) Leonotis leonurus
Lion's tail (wild dagga) (Leonotis leonurus) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Lamiaceae family, native to Grassland and rocky slopes of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho, South Africa. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
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Lion's tail (wild dagga) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 13–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Grassland and rocky slopes of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho, South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Lion's tail (wild dagga) toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Used in traditional medicine and smoked; safety data are limited and not listed by the ASPCA.
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 Lion's tail (wild dagga)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Lion's tail (wild dagga) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kirstenbosch (8 plants)
Questions about Lion's tail (wild dagga)
- How far apart should I plant Lion's tail (wild dagga)?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Lion's tail (wild dagga) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lion's tail (wild dagga) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lion's tail (wild dagga)?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Lion's tail (wild dagga) flower?
- From about August for 13–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Lion's tail (wild dagga) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Used in traditional medicine and smoked; safety data are limited and not listed by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Lion's tail (wild dagga)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lion's tail (wild dagga). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Frost cuts it to the ground in marginal climates, then it resprouts; prune hard in late winter. Peak flowering is autumn.
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