Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina)
Care, watering, light and tips for Lamb's ear on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 10 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Lamb's ear
Stachys byzantina, commonly known as 'Lamb's Ear', is an ornamental perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family, notable for its soft, velvety, silver-gray leaves that resemble the feel of wool. It forms dense, low-growing clumps, ideal for path borders, rock gardens, or as ground cover in sunny areas, adding unique texture and color to the landscape. Its flower spikes, though less showy than the foliage, emerge in summer with small purple blooms.
Native range
Middle East, from Turkey to Iran
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal growth and dense foliage, though it tolerates some partial shade. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, as it is very susceptible to overwatering and root rot. It prefers well-drained, even poor soils, and a common mistake is planting it in heavy soils or overwatering, which compromises its health and the beauty of its foliage.
How to save a dying Lamb's ear
- Warning signs
- Soft, mushy or moldy leaves; black or rotting stems; yellowing leaves.
- First aid
- Remove affected leaves and stems. Drastically reduce watering. Ensure good drainage and ventilation.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor air circulation. Highly susceptible to root and stem rot.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if rot is not too widespread. Act quickly to dry out the soil.