Lions Ear

Lions Ear Care

Leonotis Leonurus

What is the plant

The lion's tail plant (Leonotis leonurus), or wild dagga, is a semievergreen perennial plant that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 to 11. The bright orange flowers are said to resemble a lion's ear. Lion's tail is an herb used in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as headaches, asthma, muscle cramps and high blood pressure, notes the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. Enjoy this low-maintenance plant in your garden, in a container or as a border plant.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

9a - 11

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water every three weeks with enough water to wet the entire root ball, advises University of California Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County.
Pruning
Pruning is not required, but the shrubs will get quite large, growing 4 to 8 feet tall and spreading up to 6 feet. Pruning will also increase flowering, as blooms only appear on new wood. To control the size of your lion's tail plant, prune it back in the early spring, leaving 6 inches above the ground. Wait until the danger of frost has passed before pruning.
Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer once per year in the spring at the beginning of the growing season, advises the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Use organic fertilizer and follow the application directions on the package. Stimulate growth by adding an organic mulch around the shrubs.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Plants thrive in full sun and need at least six hours of sunlight each day.
Soil
The lion's tail plant will grow in many types of soil as long as it is well-drained. It prefers neutral or alkaline soil pH. The plants are drought-resistant and tolerate dry soil.
Container
You can also grow the plant as a perennial in containers by moving the plant indoors during the cold winter months to protect it from frost.