HybridContainer OK

Spotted Deadnettle

Lamium maculatum

Field of small yellow flowers and green leaves.

An outstanding variegated ground cover with silver-splashed leaves and cheerful pink, purple, or white flowers that bloom from spring through fall. Thrives in challenging shady spots while providing bright foliage contrast and extended flowering period. Non-invasive and easy to control.

Sun

Partial shade

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

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Height

3-9 inches

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Planting Timeline

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Transplant

Showing dates for Spotted Deadnettle in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 ground-cover →

Zone Map

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Spotted Deadnettle · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, adaptable to various soil types

pH6.0-7.5

WaterModerate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

FlavorN/A

ColorSilver and green variegated foliage, pink/purple/white flowers

SizeSpreads 18-24 inches wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day), Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Triangular fruit.

Type: Schizocarp.

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Spotted Deadnettle is a living perennial ground cover plant, not a harvested product, so traditional storage and preservation methods don't apply. For potted specimens, store in a cool location (50-65°F) with indirect light and moderate humidity (40-50%) if overwintering indoors. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In-ground plantings naturally persist through seasons. If dividing or propagating, freshly harvested plant sections should be potted immediately in moist soil. Cuttings root best in high humidity (70-80%) within 2-3 weeks under indirect light.

History & Origin

Origin: Europe and North Africa to West Asia

Advantages

+Variegated silver foliage brightens dark shady garden areas year-round
+Produces cheerful pink, purple, or white flowers spring through fall
+Non-invasive and easily controlled unlike many aggressive ground covers
+Thrives in challenging spots where other plants struggle significantly
+Easy to grow and maintain with minimal gardening experience required

Considerations

-Susceptible to powdery mildew during humid or poorly ventilated conditions
-Crown rot develops quickly if soil stays constantly wet or waterlogged
-Slugs and snails frequently damage tender foliage throughout growing season

Companion Plants

Hostas, Astilbe, and Heuchera are the natural partners here — all three share Lamium's preference for partial shade and moderate moisture, so you're not fighting competing water or light demands in the same bed. Ferns and Wild Ginger fill similar niches with shallow root systems, so there's no underground crowding either. Mint is the one to skip — it spreads by rhizome fast enough to physically overtake a Lamium planting within a single growing season. Black Walnut is a harder no: it produces juglone, a root-zone toxin that can persist in soil well beyond the tree's drip line and damages a wide range of understory plants.

Plant Together

Hostas

Both thrive in partial shade and moist conditions, creating complementary foliage textures

Astilbe

Shares similar moisture and shade requirements, provides vertical interest above the ground cover

Heuchera

Compatible shade perennial that benefits from the living mulch effect of deadnettle

Ferns

Natural woodland companions that share moisture and shade preferences

Wild Ginger

Both are native woodland groundcovers that create naturalized plantings together

Caladium

Spotted deadnettle provides living mulch while caladium offers colorful foliage contrast

Ajuga

Compatible groundcover that can intermingle without aggressive competition

Impatiens

Both prefer partial shade and consistent moisture, deadnettle provides natural mulching

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including members of the mint family

Mint

Both are aggressive spreaders that will compete intensely for territory

English Ivy

Extremely aggressive vine that will smother and outcompete the deadnettle groundcover

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good disease resistance, avoid overhead watering

Common Pests

Slugs, snails, occasional spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew in humid conditions, crown rot if overwatered

Troubleshooting Spotted Deadnettle

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves, spreading across the foliage surface in late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe lamii) — fungal, thrives when humidity is high and airflow is poor
Planting in spots with little air movement, often under dense tree canopy

What to Do

1.Shear the whole planting back by about half — new growth comes in clean and it refreshes the look anyway
2.Thin out any overcrowded sections so air can move through; plants spaced at least 12 inches apart fare noticeably better
3.Avoid overhead watering in the evening; drip or morning watering keeps foliage drier overnight

Irregular holes chewed in leaves overnight, with a silvery slime trail visible on or near the plant in the morning

Likely Causes

Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum or similar) — classic damage pattern, worse in cool, moist conditions
Snails, which feed the same way and leave the same trails

What to Do

1.Scatter iron phosphate bait (Sluggo or equivalent) around the planting in the evening — it's safe around pets and wildlife
2.Pull back any thick mulch directly against the crowns; slugs shelter under it during the day
3.Set a shallow dish of beer near the affected area at dusk to confirm the culprit before treating heavily

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spotted Deadnettle good for beginners?▼

Yes, Spotted Deadnettle is excellent for beginners. It's rated Easy to grow, highly adaptable to various soil types, tolerates shade well, and requires minimal maintenance. It's non-invasive and forgiving of gardening mistakes, making it ideal for novice gardeners seeking reliable ground cover with attractive variegated foliage.

Can you grow Spotted Deadnettle in containers?▼

Absolutely. Spotted Deadnettle thrives in containers with well-drained potting soil. Use pots at least 6-8 inches deep with drainage holes. It cascades beautifully over container edges, making it perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes. Keep soil consistently moist during growing season and place in partial shade indoors or outdoors.

How long does Spotted Deadnettle bloom?▼

Spotted Deadnettle offers an exceptional blooming period from spring through fall, providing months of cheerful pink, purple, or white flowers. This extended flowering period makes it valuable for continuous garden color and pollinator attraction throughout the growing season without deadheading requirements.

What is the best time to plant Spotted Deadnettle?▼

Plant Spotted Deadnettle in spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Spring planting (after last frost) allows establishment before summer, while fall planting takes advantage of cooler weather and autumn moisture. Both seasons provide ideal conditions for root development and reduce transplant stress.

How much shade can Spotted Deadnettle tolerate?▼

Spotted Deadnettle thrives in partial shade (4-6 hours of sunlight daily) and actually prefers shade over full sun. It's exceptional for challenging shady spots where other plants struggle. While it tolerates deeper shade, flowering may be reduced. Avoid intense afternoon sun, which can fade variegated foliage.

Is Spotted Deadnettle invasive?▼

No, Spotted Deadnettle is non-invasive and easy to control. Unlike some ground covers, it spreads moderately without becoming problematic. It's well-behaved in garden settings, won't overtake neighboring plants, and can be easily contained with light pruning or division when needed.