Overview
Lamium is a matforming, clump forming, bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Lamium, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous, semi evergreen, evergreen foliage. Lamium grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds, ground cover and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Lamium, commonly known as deadnettle, is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the Lamiaceae family. These plants typically form mats or clumps with bushy habits and have coarsely serrated, ovate foliage that can be deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen. They produce tubular, two-lipped flowers arranged in whorls, forming compact spikes during summer and autumn. Lamium thrives in a range of soil types and pH levels, preferring moist but well-drained conditions and can grow in full sun to full shade, making it suitable for various garden settings including ground cover and underplanting.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Lamium
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Lamium size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming, Clump forming, Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous, Semi evergreen, Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Ground cover, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Lamium
- Propagation
- Division, Softwood cuttings, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Lamium?
Lamium prefers full sun, partial shade and full shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Lamium need?
Lamium is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Lamium hardy in the UK?
Lamium has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Lamium?
Division, Softwood cuttings, Seed.
More in the Lamium genus
- Lamium barbatum
- Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pearls'
- Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy'Spotted Dead-nettle
- Lamium orvala
- Lamium maculatum Lami Mega Purple (Lami Series)
- Lamium tuberosum