Can You Split a Lamb‘s Ear? The Complete Guide

Hey there! Lillie here, your home improvement buddy. If you‘re growing lamb‘s ear in your garden, you may be wondering if these fuzzy perennials can be split or divided to make more plants. Well, you‘re in luck! As an experienced gardener and landscaper, I can tell you all about splitting lamb‘s ear successfully.

In this complete guide, we‘ll cover when and how to divide lamb‘s ear step-by-step. I‘ll also share expert tips on propagating lamb‘s ear from cuttings, along with the best care practices to keep your lamb‘s ears healthy and thriving for years to come. Let‘s dive in!

All About Lamb‘s Ear Plants

Before we get our hands dirty, let me give you a quick intro to this unique plant. Lamb‘s ear goes by the botanical name Stachys byzantina. Native to Turkey and Armenia, it‘s a low-growing perennial herb that‘s been cultivated since medieval times. Here are some key facts:

  • Grows 12-18 inches tall and spreads 24-36 inches wide
  • Velvety, silver-grey leaves with soft, fuzzy hairs
  • Silvery foliage resembles a lamb‘s ear, giving it the common name
  • Small purple or pink flowers on spikes in summer
  • Hardy in zones 4-9
  • Loves full sun but tolerates light shade
  • Spreads rapidly by underground rhizomes

With its soft, downy foliage, lamb‘s ear makes a lovely groundcover or border edge. It also mixes nicely with other perennials and adds unique texture to floral arrangements.

Now let‘s look at splitting and propagating this mint family member.

When to Divide Lamb‘s Ear

To keep your lamb‘s ear patch looking healthy and prevent overcrowding, dividing it every 3-5 years is a good idea. But timing is key!

Here are the best times to divide lamb‘s ear:

  • Early spring: Divide in early spring after new growth resumes but before buds appear.

  • Early summer: You can also divide right after lamb‘s ear flowers in early summer.

Dividing in early spring or summer allows the new plant divisions ample time to grow strong roots before going dormant in winter.

According to horticulture experts, fall is not the optimal time to split lamb‘s ear. Dividing in late summer or autumn can stress the plant right before its winter dormancy.

For the highest success rate, aim to divide your lamb‘s ear in spring or early summer. Now let‘s go over how to properly divide it step-by-step.

How to Divide Lamb‘s Ear in 6 Easy Steps

Dividing lamb‘s ear is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare your supplies

Before starting, make sure you have:

  • Sharp shovel or garden spade
  • Garden fork
  • Pruners or sharp knife (sterilized)
  • Plastic pots or trays
  • Potting soil

Gather any other tools you‘ll need for replanting like trowels, watering can, etc.

2. Choose a shady work area

Pick a shaded spot near a water source to divide your lamb’s ear. This protects the roots from drying out. Have your empty pots and trays with fresh potting mix at the ready.

3. Water the plant well

Give your lamb’s ear a thorough soaking 1-2 days before dividing. Moist soil is easier to dig and minimizes damage to the roots.

4. Dig up the entire plant

Insert your shovel or garden fork 6-10 inches away from the plant. Carefully lift the entire lamb’s ear clump out of the ground, keeping as much soil around the roots as possible.

5. Divide the root mass

Gently shake or hose off excess soil so you can see the roots. Then use your sterilized pruners or knife to cut through the root ball, dividing it into smaller sections.

Aim for clumps with 3-5 healthy stems each. Discard any diseased or damaged parts noticed during division.

6. Replant the divisions

Place each lamb’s ear division in a prepared pot or directly into a garden bed. Plant at the same depth it was originally growing at. Firm soil around the roots, water well, and let it begin regrowing!

And that‘s it! Just repeat these steps annually or every few years to keep your lamb’s ear patch under control.

Potting Up Divisions

For the best results, I recommend initially dividing lamb‘s ear directly into pots. This lets the divisions establish a strong root system before being planted in your garden beds.

Use 4-6 inch plastic nursery pots filled with a high-quality potting mix. After potting, water thoroughly to settle the soil. Place in partial sun and water daily while they recover from division.

In 4-6 weeks, the potted lamb‘s ear divisions will be rooted and ready to transplant in your garden!

Expert Lamb‘s Ear Division Tips

After years of dividing lamb‘s ear professionally, I‘ve picked up some pro tips for healthier, more vigorous divisions:

  • Use sharp tools: A clean, sharp knife or pruners prevents tearing roots during division.

  • Work quickly: Limit air exposure to keep roots moist and prevent desiccation stress.

  • Give divisions space: Allow 12-18 inches between newly planted lamb‘s ear divisions so they have room to grow.

  • Water consistently: Newly divided plants need more frequent watering for 2-3 weeks until established.

  • Provide light shade: Protect tender divisions from hot sun until the roots take hold.

  • Stake floppy stems: Insert stakes near droopy stems for support until lamb‘s ear regains vigor.

  • Apply fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer or compost to nourish developing roots.

Follow these tips for the best results when dividing your lamb‘s ear specimens.

Can You Propagate Lamb’s Ear From Cuttings?

In addition to division, another way to propagate lamb’s ear is from stem cuttings. Here‘s how:

Step 1: Take 6-8 inch stem tip cuttings

Use sharp, sterile pruners or scissors to take 6-8 inch long cuttings from the tips of healthy stems. Cut just below a leaf node.

Step 2: Trim lower leaves

Strip off the bottom 2-3 sets of leaves from each cutting. This helps prevent stem rot.

Step 3: Dip in rooting hormone

Dip the bare end of each lamb‘s ear cutting in a rooting hormone powder or gel. This boosts root formation.

Step 4: Plant the cuttings

Insert each treated cutting 2-3 inches deep into sterile potting mix, perlite, or vermiculite. Place 2-3 cuttings per 4 inch pot.

Step 5: Provide warmth & moisture

Keep the potting medium moist but not saturated. Provide bottom heat or ambient warmth around 70°F.

Step 6: Wait for roots!

In 4-6 weeks, your lamb‘s ear cuttings should have grown new root systems. Gradually acclimate them to lower humidity, then pot up or plant outside.

Taking stem cuttings is an easy way to multiply your lamb‘s ear specimens. Just use new growth taken in spring or summer for the best odds of success.

Caring for Lamb’s Ear Plants

Now that you know all about dividing and propagating lamb‘s ear, let‘s go over some expert care tips to keep your plants healthy:

Sunlight

Lamb‘s ear thrives in full sun and tolerates light shade. Allow at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for the lush, vibrant foliage lamb‘s ear is prized for.

Insufficient light causes weak, floppy growth. If possible, plant lamb‘s ear where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

Soil

Well-draining soil is a must for lamb‘s ear. Wet, compacted clay can lead to root rot. Incorporate organic matter like compost or peat moss to improve drainage in heavier soils.

Lamb‘s ear prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.5-7.5. Add lime if needed to raise pH.

Watering

Established lamb‘s ear is quite drought tolerant, but occasional irrigation is beneficial during prolonged dry spells. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings.

Fertilizer

Feed lamb‘s ear with a balanced organic fertilizer or one higher in nitrogen early in the growing season. This fuels lush foliage growth. Avoid over-fertilizing which can cause flopping.

Pruning & Deadheading

Trim back any damaged, dead or unsightly growth as needed for a tidy appearance. Removing spent flower stalks (deadheading) also improves its looks.

Pests & Disease

Lamb‘s ear has few pests and diseases to watch for, including:

  • Root rot from wet soil
  • Powdery mildew fungal disease
  • Slugs & snails that chew leaves
  • Spider mites in dry conditions

Ensure adequate drainage and ventilation. Discard and destroy any diseased plants. Use organic pest remedies as needed.

Winter Care

Lamb‘s ear dies back after fall frosts but returns each spring. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around dormant plants to insulate roots from harsh winter cold. Avoid excess mulch that can cause rotting. Remove mulch in spring as new growth resumes.

Follow these tips and your lamb’s ear will thrive for years of fuzzy grey delight! Let me know if you have any other lamb’s ear growing questions. I’m always happy to help a fellow gardening friend.

Happy planting!

Lillie

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