Lamb's Ear
Stachys byzantina
Family Lamiaceae
Lamb's ear is the plant children introduce themselves to — leaves of thick silver velvet, impossibly soft, spreading into a low woolly mat that begs to be touched. In a border it does the quiet work of great silver foliage, cooling hot colors and flattering every neighbor.
Sun and sharp drainage are its whole wish list; drought barely registers, and it edges a path or fills a sensory garden fast. Completely safe for small petting hands, with summer spikes bees visit. Every garden with children — or grown-ups who touch plants — should keep a patch.
Full Sun to Light Shade
Low water
Fast growth
Attracts bees
From the print shop
Growing lamb's ear? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries lamb's ear — Stachys byzantina, print Nº 266, “Lamb's Ear.”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what lamb's ear actually needs.
Hardy inZones 4-8Lamb's Ear · Common problems
Common lamb's ear problems
Pests
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Diseases
1 problem on file
- Crown Rot in humid/wet conditions (the main issue)
Lamb's Ear · Growing & propagation
Growing lamb's ear
- Light
- Full Sun to Light Shade
- Water
- Very low
Silver felt hates wet; rots in humidity/overhead water
Soil- Sharp drainage, lean · pH 6.0 - 7.5
Fertilizer- None
Pruning- Spring cleanup
Rake out rotted winter leaves in spring; shear flower spikes if you want a pure silver carpet. Divides easily.
Spacing- 12-18 in
How to plant & propagate lamb's ear
- Propagate
- Division or seed
Lamb's Ear · Seasonal care & spray guidance
The lamb's ear growing playbook
When to spray lamb's ear
Growing season. Cut off mushy leaves; improve airflow and drainage.
Lamb's Ear · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Lamb's Ear · Yearly calendar
The lamb's ear year, month by month
Jan
No calendar activity is listed for this month.
BloomPruneBloomJune to August
PruneMarch to May
What each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
- Prune — shape it now — cuts heal cleanly and structure is visible.
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
Lamb's Ear · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Stachys byzantina
Lamb's Ear in the garden system
- Groundcover layer perennial
- Dynamic accumulator
- Nectary/insectary
- Living mulch
Attracts- Bees
Moisture- Wetland / wet-tolerant
Deer- Browsed
Protect young plants
Origin- Introduced
What lamb's ear is grown for
✓ Not known to be toxickids love petting it
Use- Sensory gardens
- Use
- Silver edging
- Use
- Kids
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Lamb's Ear · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a lamb's ear variety
'Big Ears'/'Helene von Stein' (rarely flowers, best foliage); 'Silver Carpet'; 'Cotton Boll'
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
See where the knowledge comes from.
Lamb's Ear
Stachys byzantina
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Stachys byzantina
- Plant family
- Lamiaceae
- Growth habit
- Perennial
- Origin
- Introduced
- USDA plant symbol
- STBY
- Invasive risk
- Low
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
Questions
Lamb's Ear questions, answered straight.
Is lamb's ear safe for kids and pets?
Lamb's Ear is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. One caveat on this one: kids love petting it. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
How do you propagate lamb's ear?
Division or seed.
Elsewhere
Where lamb's ear sits in the library.
Nasturtium
Juniper
Blue Fescue
Hens and Chicks