Lambs Ear Plant Care And Growing Guide

Lambs ear plant is a perennial species that is known for its silver foliage and soft, velvety leaves. Native to the Middle East, this plant thrives in well-drained soil and full or partial sun. It is found in Hardiness zones from 4 to 9. 

Lambs ear flower is small and pink-purple that blooms in late spring to early summer. Besides decoration purposes, their leaves are also applied in traditional medicine for their anti-bacterial properties.

Their silver-gray foliage creates a soft textured mat in the garden. They are also fast spreaders and grow faster in sunny areas while being tolerant to drought. 

Types of Lamb's Ear

• Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears' - This is a type of Lamb's ear that features larger leaves and a more upright stature.
• Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' - This type does not flower and reseed. It also doesn't spread rapidly like others.
• Stachys byzantine 'Silky Fleece' - This is the dwarf variety of the Lamb's ear. It contains the silver-gray foliage in a more compact form.
• Stachys byzantine 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' - This Lamb's ear variety is known for its fuzzy and dense foliage. It has a more pronounced velvety texture.

Before placing the Lamb's Ear into the soil, you should understand the right time to plant this plant for its optimum growth. Planting it at the wrong time can lead to substandard growth and waste of resources.

The best time for growing Lamb's Ear is in early spring or early fall. If you seek to plant them in spring, then ensure the last frost has passed since young plants are sensitive to cold.

Early spring planting helps the plant establish its roots before the summer heat, thus providing it with sufficient time to adapt and grow properly.

Another planting time is the early fall, as the cooler temperature will lead to an increment in moisture and promote root development.

You should not plant during mid-summer, since extreme heat may stress young plants. Likewise, late fall isn't suitable since there is not enough time for root establishment before winter.

After you know when to plant a Lamb's ear, it is vital to comprehend the basics of how to grow Lambs ear appropriately. You can only get those luscious silver-gray foliage and purple flowers once you plant it properly. 

The first step is to select the best location where your plant will lie for growth. If you are growing it in a garden, this process becomes more crucial. They thrive in sunny spots but can tolerate some shade.

The soil needs to be well-drained and rich in nutrient content. It is best to avoid areas where water tends to collect, as Lamb's Ear dislikes this situation. 

You can also mulch in the surrounding area where the plant is located. Mulches will aid in retaining moisture and suppress weeds. 

Spacing and Depth

Since Lamb's ears are good spreaders, good spacing must be provided for the plant to grow properly. Quality spacing leaves room for the plant to cover grounds rapidly and will prevent stunted growth.

The optimal spacing can be 12 to 18 inches apart. You should dig holes that are slightly bigger than the root ball and place the plant firmly in the hole.

Once done, you should backfill the soil and gently press the soil in the base so that no air pockets become a nuisance to the roots in the future.

Once the Lamb's ear is placed on the soil, caring for your new plant is an essential step for long-term growth and bloom.

Lambs ear plant care should be constantly given to their soil, foliage, and flowers. They should be checked so that there are no pests and diseases in the future.

It is important to space these perennials 12-18 inches apart to promote sufficient room for spread. The leaves should also be kept dry when they are close to the ground.

Light

Lamb's Ear can grow properly in full sun to partial shade. The ideal situation would be to receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. 

Full sun promotes the best foliage color and robust growth, giving the leaves their silvery color. Afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch in hot areas. However, too much shade might lead to leggy growth and less vigor.

Soil

Soil selection is another important component of the Lamb's ear. Ideal soil includes a mix of garden soil, sand, and perlite or compost to enhance drainage and prevent root rot. It should be moist and well-drained.

Fertile soil will help its growth, but over-rich soil can contribute to leggy growth. You can also employ organic matter like compost to improve its structure and fertility without making it too rich. Slightly acidic soil will be enough for its care.

Water

Once the soil and sunlight have been determined, the next thing to understand for the plant's proper care is watering. This is an important step that you should conduct every week. They only need 1 inch of water for survival.

Lamb's ears are drought-tolerant, so watering should not be frequent as it could lead to overwatering issues. It is best not to pour water on the leaves as there could be fungal spots in the future.

Temperature and Humidity

These perennials with silver foliage can grow on multiple hardiness zones, i.e. from 4 to 9. Hence, Lamb's ear can grow in a variety of temperatures. They can still face problems if left in colder or hotter climates for too long.

High humidity levels are detrimental for these Lambs ear plants since they can lead to fungal diseases and rot. You must make sure that good air circulation is present. Also, overhead watering should be avoided to maintain the right humidity levels.

Fertilizer

Minimal fertilization is required to grow a Lamb's ear. They are hardy perennials that can withstand droughts, and hence constant supply of fertilizer is not essential for its health.

They also prefer soils that aren't overly rich. However, you could incorporate compost into the soil. This compost offers additional nutrients and improves the soil structure.

Propagating a new Lamb's Ear is not a complex process and knowing about some methods can help you to easily multiply your luscious silver foliage in the garden. The most popular methods are division and stem cutting.

With these propagation methods, you will witness Lamb ear growth for a long time in your garden. Propagating will help to maintain the stock of this plant in your garden without having to buy one from the nursery again.

Division

This plant is mostly propagated by the division method. For this method, you would require a sharp shovel or knife. Now, you should carefully dig up the plant and then divide the plant into sections. All these sections should have roots attached too.

The divisions should made fist-sized and they must be replanted in well-drained soil at the same depth as the original plant. Watering becomes an essential task during the growth stage.

This propagation method is best applied during the early spring or late fall. 

Stem Cutting

Another propagation technique, stem cutting is a common among large portion of plant species. Begin by selecting a healthy, mature Lamb's Ear. Then, choose a stem with leaves in it, and cut them with sterilized shears. 

You need to cut at least 2 to 4 inches of section just below the leaf node. Now, plant the cutting in a new pot with a well-draining soil mix. Rooting hormone can be applied in the cut end to boost the growth process.

If you conduct the process meticulously, then you can witness new roots developing from the cut end in a short time. The soil should be moist and partial shade is tolerated.

Lamb's ear needs to be pruned timely to maintain their compact form and reduce their spreading rate. Some gardeners can also find the flower stalks gangly in appearance. Pruning the lamb's ear is an essential step for its proper care and growth.

Deadheading is a great way to shape your Lamb's ear plant. To remove the gangly flower stalks, you can snip them off at the base to maintain a tidy look.

You can also remove the dead or discolored leaves if they have been infected by pests. Prune selectively to maintain the plant's overall health and shape. If your plant is bushier, then you can perform light shearing to encourage new growth.

In the late fall, the plant will start to die back, and you can cut the affected foliage with the help of some pruners. It is vital to prune the plant before the new growing season arrives.

Although Lamb's ears are hardy perennial plants, they should still be cared for in the winter to prevent unnecessary damage to them. Generally, they can withstand the winter season and will die back, but will bloom again in spring.

However, you need to take care of other circumstances like pests and root rots that can easily destroy the beauty of the plant. When the dying foliage is left for long, pests and other diseases can creep in. 

Remove the dying foliage down to the soil level to ensure its good health. Shearing the Lamb ear plant will help to provide room for new growth during the next growing season.

You could also apply a layer of mulch around the base of Lamb's ear. This helps insulate the roots against freezing temperatures. Watering should be limited to prevent root rot.

Potting and repotting Lamb's Ear are essential for maintaining its health and aesthetics. The plant is generally not put in a potted plant, but it can still be used as a filler plant in big container gardens. 

When potting in the container garden, you should choose a container with proper drainage and fill it with a well-drained soil mix. A blend of potting soil, sand, and perlite will do just fine.

Ensure that the plant is located at the center of the container and that the root ball is covered. Watering should be lightly applied for growth and nutrients.

Repotting in another container may be crucial if your Lamb's Ear features crowded roots, shunted growth, or poor water absorption. Gently uproot the plant and transfer it to another large container with a well-drained soil mix. 

With the presence of fuzzy, silver-gray foliage, Lamb's ear are a delightful addition to any garden. They require low maintenance and are hardy perennials. However, you should understand their common problems so that they bloom properly. 

Some of the major problems faced by this plant are:

1. Rotting Leaves

These plants lie close to the ground due to their spreading habit. This could lead to a moisture buildup. Fungal infections may arise during these situations. 

Likewise, when their leaves branch out, they can ignore their central roots and hence, these roots can die off. It is crucial to watch these details and remove them timely before the next growing season.

2. Pests And Fungi

Rotting leaves can lead to the arrival of pests in the plant to damage them further. Spots of various colors can be seen in the leaves. These spots are generally brown, powdery yellow, or white. 

Fungal spores can also arrive in the leaves of Lamb's ear. Remove the pests and fungi with the help of jets of water or anti-fungal sprays in serious cases. Caterpillars can also cause damage by overfeeding, so they must be controlled too.

3. Lack of Growth

If the caring tips are not properly followed, then you can witness a shunted growth in Lamb's ear. Plants that aren't growing well look sickly and wilted.

Not giving proper spacing can result in their lackluster development. If they don't get enough sun or overwatering can lead to its demise. Relocation to a new area becomes crucial during these times.

Moreover, small organisms can also hinder Lamb's ear's growth. For instance, roundworms like microscopic nematodes can feed on all the plant parts.