How do you take care of a lion’s ear plant?

Asked by: Ronald Harding

This drought-tolerant plant needs a well-drained soil, since overly wet soils can kill the plant. Lion’s ear prefers a location in full sun, though it will also grow in part shade. Gardeners who enjoy passalong plants will also like lion’s ear, since cuttings can be used to start new plants.

How do you prune a lion’s ear?

I like to cut them down to about 30 inches to 36 inches and then when they push back up. They'll end up at that four to four and a half foot height.

Is Lion’s Ear an annual?

Lion’s Ear is perennial in areas with mild climates and works well as an annual in regions with cold winter temperatures. It can survive temperatures as low as 20ºF (-6ºC) and will often resprout with new growth from hardened wood if it freezes back in the winter.

How do you deadhead a lion’s tail plant?

Deadhead old or faded flowers by cutting the flower spike back to the ground level. This tricks the plant into thinking it has not produced enough blooms to form seeds and reproduce. It responds by forcing new blooms.

How do lion ears grow?

This South African native plant, also known as lion’s ear, grows 3 to 6′ tall in a single season. Start seeds indoors in early spring. Or plant seeds directly in the garden shortly before the average date of the last spring frost. Grow it in a sunny location with well-drained soil.

How often should I water lion’s tail?

The plants are drought-resistant and tolerate dry soil. Water every three weeks with enough water to wet the entire root ball, advises University of California Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County.

Why is my lion’s tail not blooming?

Lion’s Tail needs nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the spring, but don not over-fertilize it cause it will make flowers weak. Use more phosphorus to encourage more flowers. Water – The plant can tolerate long periods of drought and doesn’t like to sit in water.

Do hummingbirds like lions tail plant?

The plant that caught your attention is native to South Africa and called Lion’s Tail, Leonotis leonurus. It’s very attractive to nectar-lovers such as the hummingbirds and butterflies you observed.

What is lions Ear good for?

It is reported to be an emmenagogue (promotes menstrual discharge), purgative and vermifuge. It has been used for all manner of medicinal purposes including: asthma, cardiac problems, cough, epilepsy, leprosy, snakebite, skin diseases and parasites.

Does lion’s tail need full sun?

This species is best treated as a perennial that is cut back hard in late winter to control size and renew foliage character and flower development. It prefers full sun, well-drained soils, low amounts of summer moisture; young and mature plants alike can be damaged by temperatures 25°F and below.

How big are lions ears?

When grown under optimal conditions, lion’s ear can reach five feet tall and four feet wide.

What do lion ears look like?

Accordingly, lions have evolved relatively rounded ears that feature shaggy fur, which helps to keep their ears hidden. Lions also feature black markings on the back of their ears, which may help these pack hunters to follow each other through the tall grass.

Is lions ear a perennial?

Growing Leonotis Plants



Lion’s ear plant is suitable for growing as a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. If you live north of zone 9, you can grow this plant as an annual by sowing seeds in the garden shortly before the last expected frost in spring for autumn blooms.

Why do lion ears twitch?

And because they have a lot of muscles in their ears, they can rotate their ears to catch a lot of noise. Sometimes a cat’s ears twitch because they’re listening to something we have more than likely missed. On the other hand, a cat’s ears can also be an indicator of their mood.