Can You Dig Up Lambs Ear and Replant? The Ultimate Guide for Home Gardeners
As an avid home gardener myself, I know how rewarding it can be to have lamb’s ear thriving in your outdoor space. With its soft, velvety silver-gray foliage, lamb’s ear adds unique texture and elegance wherever it’s planted. The good news is lamb’s ear is easy to propagate and transplant to expand your planting. With proper techniques, timing, and care you can continue enjoying the beauty of lamb’s ear for many years.
In this complete guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to successfully transplant lamb’s ear. You’ll learn when to transplant, step-by-step instructions, and vital care tips based on my own experience and expertise renovating gardens and landscaping outdoor living spaces. Let’s get started!
When is the Best Time to Transplant Lamb’s Ear?
Choosing the right time to transplant lamb’s ear is key for success. Here are the optimal timeframes:
The weather during these periods provides the cool temperatures, mild sun, and decent soil moisture that newly transplanted lamb’s ear needs to reduce stress and establish quickly.
Specifically, aim to transplant lamb’s ear:
- In spring after the threat of hard frost has passed
- In fall about 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost date
Lamb’s ear goes dormant in winter, so fall transplanting gives the plant time to root well before going dormant. Spring transplanting should happen as soon as you can dig and work the soil.
Avoid transplanting lamb’s ear during the hot, dry days of summer. This can shock the plant. However, summer transplants can work if you provide ample shade, wind protection, and frequent watering the first few weeks.
You can also transplant container-grown lamb’s ear successfully anytime during the growing season since the roots are contained. Just be sure to keep the soil consistently moist after transplanting.
How to Transplant Lamb’s Ear in 6 Simple Steps
Transplanting established lamb’s ear plants is an easy process. Just follow these steps:
1. Choose a Transplant Site
Pick an area with:
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Full sun to partial shade – lamb’s ear thrives with at least 6 hours of sun per day
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Well-draining soil enriched with compost
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Matching conditions to the plant’s original site
Lamb’s ear grows well in most soils but struggles in heavy, wet clay. Make sure the new site has soil amended with compost to improve drainage. Lamb‘s ear can tolerate partial shade but provides the fullest, healthiest growth in full sunlight.
2. Water Plants Well
Thoroughly hydrate lamb’s ear plants 1-2 days before digging them up. Moist soil helps keep the root ball together during transplantation so the delicate roots don’t dry out.
3. Dig Up the Plant Carefully
Use a garden fork or shovel to dig a circle around each plant, about 12 inches out from the base. Go down 8-10 inches deep.
Gently loosen and lift the plant. Keep as much intact soil around the roots as possible to avoid damaging the root system.
For larger plants, you can divide the root ball into smaller sections. Each section should have 3-5 healthy shoots and plenty of fibrous roots.
4. Transplant the Divided Root Balls
In the prepared transplant site, dig holes the same depth and about twice as wide as each root ball section.
Place a root ball section into each hole. Backfill with soil, firming it gently around the roots.
Leave a small depression around each plant to help retain water.
5. Water Thoroughly After Planting
Give transplanted lamb’s ear a thorough, deep watering after planting to remove any air pockets in the soil and moisten roots.
6. Provide Care and Protection
Pamper newly transplanted lamb’s ear with filtered sun, wind protection, and consistent irrigation for 3-4 weeks until well established. Apply an organic fertilizer once new growth appears to fuel root development.
Mulch around transplants with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or leaves to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
Follow these steps precisely and your lamb’s ear transplants will flourish in their new homes. Avoid transplanting in extreme heat or cold, keep soil moist but not soggy, and provide TLC in the first weeks.
How to Propagate Lamb’s Ear from Cuttings
Taking stem cuttings from an existing lamb’s ear plant is an easy way to propagate new plants. Follow these instructions:
Choose Healthy Non-Flowering Stems
Select vigorous stems without flowers that are 5-6 inches long. Use clean, sharp pruners or a knife to cut just below a leaf node.
Trim the Cutting
Remove the lower leaves, leaving just 2 or 3 leaves at the top. A clean cut just below a node is all that is needed.
Dip Cutting in Rooting Hormone (Optional)
For faster rooting, dip the trimmed end into a rooting hormone powder or gel. Tap off any excess.
Plant in Sterile Potting Mix
Use new, sterile potting mix in clean pots with drainage holes. Make a hole with a pencil and insert the cutting so the lowest leaves are just above the mix.
Provide Warmth and Humidity
Place pots in a warm spot (65-75°F) with indirect sunlight. Cover loosely with plastic to boost humidity around the cuttings.
Monitor Water and Growth
Keep the potting mix lightly moist, taking care not to oversaturate it. Roots should emerge in 3-6 weeks. Gradually expose plants to more sun over a week (hardening off) before transplanting into the garden.
Follow these simple steps precisely and you’ll have baby lamb’s ear plants rooting and ready to transplant in less than 2 months!
Optimal Growing Conditions for Lamb’s Ear
Giving your lamb’s ear the right care will keep it looking lush and beautiful all season. Here are its ideal growing conditions:
Sun Exposure
Lamb’s ear thrives in full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. It tolerates light shade but may get leggy and lose its fullness. Morning sun with afternoon shade works well in hot climates.
Soil
Well-draining soil enriched with compost is vital. Lamb’s ear hates wet, compacted soils and is prone to rot. Improve drainage by amending clay soils with compost.
Watering
Established plants are quite drought-tolerant but consistent water keeps lamb’s ear looking its best. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid moisture extremes.
Fertilizer
Feed plants with a balanced organic fertilizer or low-nitrogen granular fertilizer in early spring. Fertilize occasionally through the growing season per label rates.
Temperature/Humidity
Lamb’s ear thrives in average temperatures and humidity. Avoid hot, humid climates. Cold hardy to -30°F when properly mulched.
Follow these growing guidelines precisely and your lamb’s ear will thrive season after season. Well-drained soil and full sun are vital!
Caring for Lamb’s Ear Plants
Here are some tips for providing season-long care:
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Deadhead spent blooms – This encourages more tender new foliage since the plant won’t be focused on seed production. Not all lamb’s ear varieties flower.
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Pinch back periodically – New growth gets floppy and flowers appear on stalks above the foliage. Pinching back to lateral shoots keeps plants compact with more leaves.
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Cut back midsummer – Cutting established plants back to 6 inches in midsummer results in bushier regrowth. Just don’t shear plants like a hedge.
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Remove damaged foliage – Pick off any unsightly or dead leaves at soil level to maintain an attractive appearance.
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Apply winter mulch – Mulch plants to insulate roots from temperature fluctuations in cold zones. Remove mulch in spring.
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Divide plants – Mature lamb’s ear patches should be divided every 2-3 years to rejuvenate. Replant divisions or give them away!
Follow these care tips and your lamb’s ear will stay healthy and bountiful for years of enjoyment.
Troubleshooting Common Lamb’s Ear Problems
Lamb’s ear is relatively problem-free, but may experience a few issues:
Leggy growth
Cause – Too much shade or nitrogen fertilizer
Solution – Give plants full sun if possible, cut back leggy plants by 1/3 to encourage compact regrowth, reduce nitrogen fertilization
Rotting
Cause – Excess moisture in hot weather
Solution – Improve drainage; avoid overhead watering; allow soil to partially dry between waterings
Leaf spot
Cause – Fungal disease prevalent in humid climates
Solution – Prune affected foliage; improve air circulation; use drip irrigation
Weak growth
Cause – Compacted or poor soil
Solution – Amend soil with compost; don’t plant in heavy clay
With proper site selection, soil preparation, and care you can avoid most of these issues and enjoy thriving lamb’s ear for years to come.
5 Key Facts About Lamb’s Ear
Here are a few key things to keep in mind about this special perennial:
1. Lamb’s Ear is Edible
The leaves have a slight minty flavor. Eat them raw in salads or cooked. But don’t over-harvest!
2. It’s Drought and Heat Tolerant
Once established, lamb’s ear needs little water or care, thriving even in dry, neglected sites.
3. Handles Cold Well
Lamb’s ear is hardy even in frigid zones, surviving temperatures down to -30°F when properly mulched.
4. Spreads Readily
The underground rhizomes spread readily, sometimes invasively, so give each plant 1-2 feet of space.
5. Loved by Bees
The flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators. Plant lamb’s ear near veggies and fruit trees!
Answers to Common Lamb’s Ear Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about growing lamb’s ear:
Is lamb’s ear poisonous to dogs?
No, lamb’s ear is completely non-toxic for dogs, cats, and other pets according to the ASPCA. In fact, some herbalists use it as a remedy for settling dogs’ stomachs. But monitor chewing closely since excessive ingestion may cause upset. Consider planting lamb’s ear away from high-traffic pet areas.
How big do lamb’s ear plants get?
Lamb’s ear reaches an average height of 12 inches tall and an average spread of 18-24 inches wide. Some varieties may reach up to 15 inches tall. Growth can be restricted by planting in containers.
What zones can lamb’s ear grow in?
This hardy perennial can grow well in zones 4-9. Lamb’s ear can survive winters even in zone 4 when properly mulched. It may die back in winter in colder zones but returns vigorously each spring.
Does lamb’s ear come back every year?
Yes! Lamb’s ear is a hardy perennial herb that comes back reliably every year. You can enjoy its beautiful foliage for many years to come. It may die back in extreme winters but quickly regrows each spring.
When should you cut back lamb’s ear?
For the healthiest plants, cut lamb’s ear back to about 6 inches in mid-summer to encourage bushy, full regrowth for the rest of the season. Remove dead leaves or spent blooms anytime to maintain an attractive look.
How fast does lamb’s ear spread?
Lamb’s ear spreads at a moderate rate by underground rhizomes. It can spread 6-12 inches outward each year. The spread can be aggressive in ideal growing conditions. Keep this in mind when siting plants in the garden.
I hope these tips empower you to grow lamb’s ear successfully for years of enjoyment. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Enjoying Lamb’s Ear in Your Garden
With proper transplantation techniques, ideal growing conditions, and consistent care, the beloved lamb’s ear plant can thrive in gardens and containers for years on end. Its soft gray foliage and vibrant flowers will provide elegance and texture wherever you plant it. Lamb’s ear is easily divided and shared with gardening friends and neighbors. Follow this guide to transplant, propagate, troubleshoot, and care for lamb’s ear. Before long, you’ll have plentiful plants to enjoy or give away. Happy gardening!