Common Spotted Dead Nettle

Common dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) develops as a growing mat of herbaceous groundcover. The small simply leaves is speckled with spots, which generates the plant its name. Clusters of tiny, somewhat inconspicuous, two-lipped, red-purple (sometimes white or pink) flowers appear at the stem ends in late spring to early summer. It is a mat-forming perennial ground cover that typically grows 5-8” tall. Spotted dead nettles are generally grown more for their silvery leaves than for their flowers, but the latter can be quite pretty, as well. Some leaves may revert to an all-green color (instead of being variegated); be sure to prune these out, so that the green color does not eventually take over the plant.

Dead nettle info would not be complete without a conversation of the site conditions this plant requires.

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers evenly moist, acidic loams, or even gently clayed dirt, with good drainage. Dislikes wet soils, particularly in winter. Dislikes high heat and humidity, and does best when soils are cool. Also dislikes compacted or poorly drained soils.

The plant should be pruned back for a bigger, bushier look. However, if remaining unpinched, the long stems are also eye-catching as accessories in a floral display.

Provide routine water and distribute garden rich compost to enhance the floor around the plant’s roots.