Caring For Lambs Ears

The care information provided in this section represents the kind of practical advice is available for all the plants in this web site if you subscribe to the monthly customized newsletter Yardener’s Advisor.

Watering
Although they can tolerate dry soil somewhat, ideally, lamb's ears should get 1 inch of water a week from rain or from a watering system. During periods of sparse rain check soil moisture every week or so. Use a sprinkler or soaker hose to get gradual penetration to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Avoid wetting the leaves. For information on products see the file on Choosing Watering Equipment

Fertilizing
Feed lamb's ears in the spring each year. Sprinkle a handful of an granular, all-purpose fertilizer on the soil around the patch for the rain to soak in. Do not let it on the foliage. For more information see the file for Fertilizer Products

Mulching
Mulching helps control weeds, conserves soil moisture, and keeps soil from splashing up on plant foliage. However, because the matted bottom leaves of a dense patch of lamb's ears have a tendency to rot in damp, humid weather, mulching of mature plants is not recommended. For more information see the file on Using Mulch

Propagation
To acquire more lamb's ears plants divide existing ones. in the early spring or in the early fall every 4 years, or when a clump gets so large that it begins to invade neighboring plantings Dig up sections of the clump and cut them away from the main patch with a sharp knife. This reduces the original patch to a manageable size again and provides new plants for other locations in the garden Cut up the sections into individual plants, taking care that each has some roots and replant them. Plant the divided sections about 12 inches apart.