Lamb's Ear
Stachys byzantina
A distinctive perennial ground cover beloved for its incredibly soft, silvery-white fuzzy leaves that children and adults can't resist touching. Dense spikes of small purple flowers rise above the foliage in summer, but many gardeners prefer to remove them to keep the focus on the stunning textural foliage. This drought-tolerant beauty creates beautiful contrast against green plants and glows in moonlight gardens.
Sun
'Big Ears'
Zones
4–9
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Lamb's Ear in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ground-cover →Zone Map
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Lamb's Ear · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: 'Big Ears'larger leaves 'Cotton Boll'flowers resemble cotton balls along the stem, gray-green leaves 'Helene von Stein' (synonymous with 'Big Ears')Foliage tolerates summer heat better, rarely flowers 'Primrose Heron'pink flowers, yellow leaves in spring 'Silky Fleece'lilac-plum flowers, small, white, wooly leaves 'Silver Carpet'rarely blooms 'Silver Queen' 'Striped Phantom'variegated leaves, 'Big Ears', 'Cotton Boll', 'Helene von Stein' (synonymous with 'Big Ears'), 'Primrose Heron', 'Silky Fleece', 'Silver Carpet', 'Silver Queen', 'Striped Phantom'. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
If the flowers are pollinated, an oblong, hairless brown nutlet may be produced.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Nut.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
History & Origin
Origin: Krym, Northern Turkey to Northern Iran
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Pollution, Poor Soil, Rabbits
- +Attracts: Attracts Pollinators, Fragrance, Textural
- +Wildlife value: Attracts butterflies
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Similar growing conditions and both repel deer, rabbits, and moths
Rosemary
Shares drought tolerance and Mediterranean growing preferences
Sage
Compatible water needs and both deter pests with aromatic foliage
Sedum
Similar low-maintenance requirements and excellent drainage needs
Catmint
Both are deer-resistant perennials with similar sun and soil requirements
Alliums
Complementary textures and both repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects
Ornamental Grasses
Contrasting textures create visual interest and share drought tolerance
Thyme
Similar Mediterranean origins and both prefer well-draining, lean soils
Keep Apart
Hostas
Require moist, rich soil conditions opposite to Lamb's Ear's preferences
Impatiens
Need consistent moisture and rich soil, creating fungal issues for Lamb's Ear
Ferns
Require high humidity and moisture that promotes rot in Lamb's Ear
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance, can rot in humid, wet conditions
Common Pests
Slugs, snails (rarely due to fuzzy texture)
Diseases
Crown rot, fungal issues in high humidity