Lambs Ear in Texas

Lamb’s Ear, a perennial, does well in Texas. Though you may read that it is drought tolerant, I think that was written for a place not quite so dry as Texas. In my experience Lamb’s Ear is far from drought tolerant. While it may require less water than some perennials, it requires frequent watering to maintain a lush appearance and some water to survive.

The fuzzy grey foliage can become brownish when deprived of water; the maintenance required for Lamb’s Ear is simply to keep the dead leaves cleaned out. In Texas we do not have the problems of the wetter climates, so in that regard, Lamb’s Ear does well here. It will not survive the extreme cold we have had in North Texas, e.g. days and days below 20 degrees.

Two Texas Perennials, Thyme and Large Lambs Ear

Loropetalum - Big Lambs Ear - Japanese Maple

The gray of the lambs ear contrasts well with dwarf loropetalum’s burgundy shades. The purple Japanese Maple echoes the call. Like Beethoven’s sound and repeat with a weaker sound foreshadowing the larger sound!

The flower of the Lamb’s Ear is, in my opinion, not attractive and there are non-flowering varieties with larger leaves! That’s my first choice.

S. byzantina ‘Helen von Stein’ is a large leafed Lambs Ear that DOES NOT bloom it is also known as ‘Big Lamb’s Ears. The Lambs Ear roots are close to the surface so mulch does help to hold the water in. These are so easy to root. They pull up in organized gentle clumps to be replanted very easily. With enough water — these are very hardy.

I love this little grey garden with artemesia, Tansy, Mealy Blue Sage, Wandering Jew and in the back, next to the Ozark Spring crape myrtle you can see a blooming Lambs Ear! Need to get a better image next time I am by there.

Lambs Ear in the fall

Mix of annuals and perennials including Big Lambs Ear, an Lambs Ear that does not bloom and has exceptionally large leaves.

Mix of annuals and perennials including Big Lambs Ear, a Lambs Ear that does not bloom and has exceptionally large leaves.

Big Lambs Ear, a non blooming Lambs ear noted for its large pliable leaves.

Lambs Ear container gardening with a cotoneaster shrub just beginning to grow in the right of the image.

Big Lambs Ear with yellow Tansy and two annuals that can act as perennials in Texas, Dusty Miller and Begonias.

Sundial garden, classic mix of tansy and Big Lambs Ear and Tansy you can see Thyme in the far background. The Monkey Grass is aggressive, I might remove that but you can see the little open spaces of dirt for an annual. I think this is lovely. I love spaces that are not overly designed and have little open spots.

Tansy and Lambs Ear Match Made in Heaven

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear is a low-growing perennial known for its soft, silvery-gray leaves that resemble the texture of lamb’s ears. Its velvety foliage and drought tolerance make it a favorite in Texas landscapes, especially in xeriscapes, borders, and children’s gardens.

Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina
Common Names: Lamb’s Ear, Woolly Betony
Foliage: Silvery-gray, velvety leaves; dense and mat-forming
Flowers: Tall spikes of purple-pink flowers in late spring to early summer, though many gardeners remove the blooms to preserve a tidy look
Size: Typically 12–18 inches tall with a 24-inch spread

Awards and Recognition
Lamb’s Ear has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its reliability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. Cultivars like ‘Helen von Stein’ (also known as ‘Big Ears’) are especially valued for larger foliage and reduced flowering, making them a top choice for ornamental foliage-focused plantings.

Performance in Texas
Lamb’s Ear thrives in USDA Zones 4–9, which covers most of Texas. It performs best in North and Central Texas, where summers are hot and dry but not excessively humid. In areas with high humidity, such as East or South Texas, proper spacing and drainage are essential to prevent rot and fungal issues.

Lamb’s Ear prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade, particularly in the hotter southern parts of the state. Its reflective foliage helps it handle intense sunlight and heat. It is extremely drought-tolerant once established and ideal for low-water landscapes.

Care Guidelines

Soil: Well-draining soil is essential; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas
Watering: Water only during extended dry spells once established; overwatering promotes rot
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to light shade
Maintenance: Remove spent flower spikes and damaged leaves to keep the plant neat; divide every few years if needed
Spacing: Allow for good air circulation to reduce the risk of fungal disease in humid regions

Landscape and Design Use
Lamb’s Ear is a versatile groundcover, commonly used in borders, rock gardens, pathways, and children’s sensory gardens. It pairs well with ornamental grasses, salvia, Russian sage, lavender, and other drought-tolerant perennials. Its texture provides soft contrast to bold or upright plants.

Additional Notes
Deer- and rabbit-resistant. The foliage is not attractive to most pests. In Texas gardens, it is often appreciated for its year-round appeal, especially in mild winters where the foliage persists. In humid summers, it may go semi-dormant but typically returns in cooler months.

Tansy and Lambs Ear a classic combination, generally mixed with Thyme.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

Tansy is a hardy, aromatic perennial herb known for its feathery, fern-like foliage and clusters of button-like yellow flowers. Traditionally used as a medicinal and companion plant, it is valued today for its ornamental qualities and insect-repelling properties.

Botanical Name: Tanacetum vulgare
Common Names: Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Golden Buttons
Foliage: Deep green, finely divided, and fern-like with a pungent scent
Flowers: Bright yellow, button-shaped flowers appear in summer; typically bloom from mid to late summer
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, depending on growing conditions

Awards and Recognition
While Tansy has not received high-profile ornamental awards like some flowering perennials, it is widely recognized in herbal and cottage garden traditions. It is known for its historic use as a medicinal, culinary (now outdated), and insect-repelling plant. Some varieties have been included in historic garden reconstructions, including those at Monticello and Williamsburg.

Performance in Texas
Tansy is generally hardy in USDA Zones 3–9, but in Texas, it performs best in North and Central regions where summers are not excessively humid. It may struggle in East or South Texas due to heat and moisture, which can lead to mildew or poor growth.

It prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in well-drained soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, although it benefits from occasional watering during long dry spells. In colder regions of Texas, it can behave as a perennial, but in the hottest zones, it may act more like a short-lived perennial or biennial.

Care Guidelines

Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Watering: Low water needs once established; water sparingly
Light: Full sun to partial shade; best flower production in full sun
Maintenance: Deadhead flowers to prevent self-seeding; can become invasive if not controlled

Big Ears Lambs Ear

The flower Lambs Ear is a fun lambs ear for children = people with way too much time on their hands make little lambs out of the flowers and put googly eyes on them.

Okay, maybe I am just jealous and wish I had time to do that! Try it = but don’t expect me to make one — if you make one send it! I will post it and not make fun of you and apologize. But it would be a fun project for nursery school children to let them pick their Lambs Ear and turn them into little Lambs Ear People!