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Lamiaceae
Lion Heart
Leonotis nepetifolia
Courage, boldness, and a warrior spirit.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Genus
- Leonotis
- Native to
- tropical Africa, southern India
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- annual or short-lived perennial
- Height
- 100–300 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, fertile
- Water
- low to medium
- Hardiness
- 9–12
- Lifespan
- annual in temperate climates; perennial in tropics
Did you know
- The genus name 'Leonotis' means 'lion's ear' in Greek, describing the shape of the fuzzy flower clusters.
- Hummingbirds and sunbirds are the primary pollinators, drawn to the bright orange tubular flowers.
- In traditional African medicine, the leaves are brewed into tea believed to reduce fever and inflammation.
- The spiky spherical flower whorls stack up the stem like a tiered architectural sculpture.
- It can grow up to 3 meters in a single season, making it one of the tallest annual garden plants.
Color meanings
Orange
bravery and fierce determination