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Dead Nettle Wikimedia Commons
Lamiaceae

Dead Nettle

Lamium maculatum

Harmless appearance.

Family
Lamiaceae
Genus
Lamium
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
perennial herb
Height
0.5-1 ft
Sunlight
part shade to full shade
Soil
moist, well-drained, average
Water
moderate
Hardiness
3-8
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Dead nettles are called 'dead' because they resemble stinging nettles but lack the stinging hairs — they are harmless to touch.
  • The silver-striped leaves provide excellent ground cover in shade gardens even when the plant is not in bloom.
  • Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, as they are heavy enough to depress the lower lip and access the nectar.
  • Young dead nettle leaves are edible and have been used in spring salads and soups across Europe for centuries.
  • The genus name Lamium comes from the Greek 'laimos' meaning throat, referring to the wide-open tubular flowers.

Color meanings

0

cheerfulness

1

goodness without sting

Uses

  • shade ground cover
  • edible foliage
  • pollinator support