If you’re looking for companion plants for Lamba’s Ear, this article is a must-read. We have listed the 6 best companion plants for lamb’s ear to help the plant grow and thrive like never before. We have also mentioned the pests and diseases that must be avoided to help increase their longevity.
The leaves of the plants resemble a young sheep’s ear, hence the name Lambs Ear. Lambs ear is a plant that’s native to Native to Armenia, Iran, and Turkey and belongs to the mint family.
Their flowers come in various colors like purple, pink, red, and white, making them great ornamental plants.
Without further ado, let’s jump into the article and learn the best and the worst companion plants for lambs ears.
Why Do Lambs Ear Need Companion Plants?
Having the right partner will encourage each other’s growth. To understand why lambs’ ear needs companion planting, let’s first understand what companion plants are.
Companion plants are an age-old practice for growing various plants altogether. This Chinese practice increases the productivity of your plants. When grown together, it boosts soil nutrients, repels pests and insects, keeps weeds out, prevents soil erosion, provides ground cover, and adds color to your garden.
6 Best lambs ear Companion Plants
When considering companion planting, lambs ear may thrive well with plants that share similar growing conditions. In this section of the article, we will share the 6 best companion plants of lambs ear.
Read on to know more.
1. Lavenders
Lavenders have similar growth requirements to lambs’ ear.
Lavender flowers have eye-captivating colors. When placed with lambs ear, lavender will add color to your garden space.
Both lavenders and lambs ear require excellent drained soil, making them good companions.
2. Shasta Daisies
Shasta Daisies prefer well-drained soil rich in nutrients. Lambs Ear, on the other hand, survives even in poor soil conditions so that they won’t be competing for resources. So they can work well together.
Both require the same amount of sunlight. Both of them need full sunlight.
Shasta Daisies can be a popular companion plant for lambs ear because the colorful flowers attract insects like bees and butterflies, which help in pollination.
Moreover, planting them together can increase the visual beauty of your backyard, so pairing them together can be a good choice for your garden.
3. Daylilies
Lambs Ear and Daylilies can be good companions because they need very little maintenance and can grow easily.
Daylilies and lambs ear have different soil requirements. Daysies require nutrient-rich soil, whereas lambs ear can also survive in soil lacking nutrients. This makes them good companions because they won’t be competing with each other for resources.
Last but not least, planting them together can improve the visual appeal of a garden.
4. Yarrow Plant
Yarrows are very adaptive and easy-to-grow plants, similar to lambs ear.
Both plants are perennial and have very low water requirements.
Lambs Ear and Yarrow both prefer well-drained soil and need low maintenance.
Both lambs ear and yarrow plants need full exposure to sunlight for their growth.
Planting lambs near the yarrow plant can increase the visual look of the garden.
5. Black Eyed Susan
Lambs Ear creates great vision when placed with Black Eyed Susan as a home garden plant.
Both lambs ear and black-eyed susan survive in soil that has an average to poor amount of nutrients.
Their sun requirements are similar. Both of them can survive in bright sunlight, making them good companions.
Black Eyed Susan and lambs ear are fast-growing plants and perennials.
6. Periwinkle
Lambs Ear and Periwinkle are easy-to-grow plants. They both are fast-growing and enjoy full exposure to sunlight.
These perennial plants require well-drained soil to survive and grow.
With its dark green foliage, periwinkle contrasts the fuzzy gray-green leaves of lamb’s ears. This produces a dramatic effect in your garden.
3 Worst Companion Plants For Lambs Ear
Lambs Ear can thrive with many plants. However, there are some plants that, when grown with lambs ear, may compete with each other.
Here are the three worst companion plants that don’t work well alongside lambs ear.
1. Hostas
Hostas grow in partial shade, whereas lambs ear need full sunlight. Because of the differing requirements of the sun, planting them together wouldn’t be a good idea.
Lambs ear, when planted with hostas, may result in the spread of diseases and pests.
Avoid growing hostas with lambs ear as they would grow to occupy most of your garden space, making it tough for you to maintain your garden.
2. Cucumbers
Planting lambs ear, and cucumbers together might cause damage to both plants by spreading powdery mildew diseases.
Lambs ears, and cucumbers are plants that spread quickly; growing them together will make maintenance of the garden a difficult task.
3. Zucchini
Zucchini may spread diseases such as powdery mildew, so planting them with lambs ear isn’t advisable.
Lambs ear and zucchini are both fast-growing plants, so planting them together will make the task of maintaining your garden tough.
What Are Lambs Ears Growing Requirements?
Every gardener needs to understand the growing requirements when planting certain plants in the garden; let’s look at the lamb’s ear plant’s growing conditions:
1. Sunlight
They thrive in full sunlight. Overexposure can cause burning of the leaves. They prefer at least six hours of direct sunlight daily but can also thrive under partial shade.
2. Soil
Lambs Ear is adaptive poor and well-drained soil, with a light acidic pH value ranging from 6 to 8. They can adapt to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, provided the soil isn’t waterlogged.
3. Water
They are drought-tolerant plants so you don’t have to water them excessively. In fact, too much watering can lead to root rot and other issues. Also, they prefer soil that dries out quickly between watering sessions.
4. Fertilizer
These plants don’t need regular fertilization since they can grow as well in soil low in nutrients. However, adding a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can promote healthy plant growth.
5. Blooming Season
Lamb’s Ear blooms in late spring or early summer, usually from May to July.
Lamb’s Ears produce tall flower spikes with small, tubular flowers at this time of the year.
6. Pruning
Lambs ear is a plant that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Occasional pruning can help maintain their shape and remove any dead or damaged foliage seen, especially during the spring season.
7. Temperature And Humidity
The plant can adapt to a wide range of temperatures. It can survive in both cool and warm climates.
They prefer moderate humidity levels, but being drought-tolerant plants, they can also tolerate dry conditions.
8. Propagation
Lamb’s Ears can be propagated through division or stem cuttings. The division is generally done in spring or fall by separating and replanting the clumps.
Stem cuttings can be done in spring or early summer and rooted in moist soil or water.
9. Pest And Diseases
Lambs ear are generally resistant to all kinds of pests and diseases. However, overwatering and poor air circulation can sometimes lead to root rot and fungal diseases. So avoid excessive moisture and provide adequate spacing between plants to ensure proper airflow.
Grass Diseases And Pests
Since lambs ears leaves are thick and velvety and contain tiny hairs found in the stems and leaves, making it unsuitable for pests to grow.
That said, diseases can take hold if not adequately cared for. Over-watering, humidity, and moisture can result in root rots.
Understanding the basic requirements to deal with diseases and preventing them is essential to keep this plant healthy.
Here are some of the diseases that mainly occur with lambs ear.
- Powdery Mildew
- Rust
- Nematodes
Remedies to Protect Lambs Ear From Diseases And Pests
Lambs Ear plants grow well in full sunlight. The plant isn’t susceptible to pests but can be prone to diseases.
Multi-step approaches are needed to protect lambs ear from diseases. Following are some of them.
- Proper air circulation is required to avoid fungal growth.
- Use antifungal sprays if you find any spots in the leaves.
- It’s better to uproot the plants in case of nematode attacks.
- Treat lambs ear with potassium or nitrogen fixer if you start finding the leaves turning yellow or white.
Conclusion
We have discussed the six best companion plants for lambs ear and their requirements in the article. These companion plants will help in healthy growth and result in beautiful landscaping.
But, to truly enjoy a healthy garden, you must know which plants to avoid planting with these perennial flowering plants.
Enjoy planting!