Purple Deadnettle Plant Care

Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Lamium genus. Purple Deadnettle is native to Eurasia. Purple Deadnettle is also known as Red Deadnettle, Little Hogweed.

Purple Deadnettle displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Purple Deadnettle produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple Deadnettle every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Purple Deadnettle thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Purple Deadnettle in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Lamium purpureum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Purple Deadnettle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Purple Deadnettle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Purple Deadnettle every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial to full shade and well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Purple Deadnettle is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Purple Deadnettle can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Purple Deadnettle while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Purple Deadnettle is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Purple Deadnettle can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to henbit plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Purple Deadnettle is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Purple Deadnettle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Purple Deadnettle is native to Eurasia.