Lamb's ears
Plant in spring on a dry, sunny edge with grit worked in, and keep mulch away from the crown — winter wet, not cold, is what kills it.
Care
Full sun — the silver felt on the leaves is a sun adaptation and the plant rots in shade.
Low — thoroughly drought-tolerant; the hairy leaves resent being wetted.
Poor, dry, sharply drained soil. On damp ground the woolly leaves blacken and rot, which is the commonest way this plant is lost.
Pull away blackened or rotting leaves whenever you see them, especially after winter. Cut the flower spikes off at the base if you prefer the foliage mat, or leave them for the bees.
Don't feed. Fertiliser gives large, soft leaves that lose the tight silver felt and rot faster in a wet winter.
Divide in spring: the mat roots as it spreads, so a rooted piece from the edge can simply be lifted and replanted. It is also the standard remedy for a clump that has died out in the middle.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchClear away winter-rotted leaves so the crown can dry out.
- JuneRemove flower spikes if you want the silver foliage to stay the feature.
- SeptemberThin or divide a clump that is congested, so air moves through it before winter. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchClear away winter-rotted leaves so the crown can dry out.
- JuneRemove flower spikes if you want the silver foliage to stay the feature.
- SeptemberThin or divide a clump that is congested, so air moves through it before winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryClear away winter-rotted leaves so the crown can dry out.
- JuneRemove flower spikes if you want the silver foliage to stay the feature.
- SeptemberThin or divide a clump that is congested, so air moves through it before winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryClear away winter-rotted leaves so the crown can dry out.
- JuneRemove flower spikes if you want the silver foliage to stay the feature.
- OctoberThin or divide a clump that is congested, so air moves through it before winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Blackened, slimy leaves and bare patches in the mat.
What to do. Improve drainage, clear the dead leaves, avoid mulching over the crown.
How to spot it. An old mat dying out in the middle while spreading at the edges.
What to do. Lift, divide and replant the vigorous outer pieces.
How to spot it. White bloom on the leaves in a humid summer.
What to do. Improve airflow and remove affected growth.
Popular varieties
Questions
Lamb's ears: is it hardy?
H7: Fully hardy anywhere in the UK. It survives below −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes, in gritty compost — a pot's drainage suits it, and keeps the leaves clear of splashing rain.
Lamb's ears: when do you prune it?
Pull away blackened or rotting leaves whenever you see them, especially after winter.
Lamb's ears: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
Don't feed. Fertiliser gives large, soft leaves that lose the tight silver felt and rot faster in a wet winter.