“LAMB’S EAR” PLANT

This unusual plant is 13 to 18 inches high and characterized by having long, soft velvety, oblong to elliptical silver leaves (the size depends on the type of cultivare = variety). Its basal leaves are in a rosette. It was a challenge for me to identify, but I finally determined that it Stachys byzantina (also known as the “lamb’s ear”). Its genus name is pronounced “STAH-kees.” The word “stachys” is Greek, meaning “ear of corn,” because its flowers grow on tall, thick spikes. The flowers are usually small (they bloom in July) and are purplish-pink to somewhat red. This plant is native to rocky hills of Armenia, Turkey, and Iran.                                                            

                                     Fig. 1. "Lamb's" ear plant.

It is a hearty perennial found in UDS Zones 4-8 but does not do well in cold winters. This plant is popular as a ground cover and thrives in full sun. It needs well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established. Its fuzzy foliage deters deer and rabbits. It forms a low, spreading mat that makes an effective grown cover. It stands 12 to 18 inches in height. It is not an aggressive spreader. Some people prefer to put this plant in containers to avoid leaf rot.

 Classification

Kingdom Plantae

Clades (4 of them)

Order Lamiales

Family Lamiaceae

Genus Stachys

Type Species S. byzantina 

Reference

Wikipedia, 2026