Henbit Deadnettle
Lamium amplexicaule
Also listed as Galeobdolon amplexicaule, Lamiella amplexicaulis
Also known as Henbit, Common Henbit, Clasping Henbit
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A low-growing winter annual with square stems and clasping leaves that produces small purple or pink flowers in early spring. Often considered a winter weed but can have ornamental value in naturalized settings.
Why grow it
Henbit deadnettle provides early-season forage and nectar when few other plants are flowering, making it valuable for supporting pollinators during late winter and early spring. Compared to other winter annuals, it establishes readily in disturbed or marginal soil and requires minimal management once present. In permaculture settings, it can function as a dynamic accumulator and living mulch, though it is better suited to naturalized zones than to cultivated beds where it may compete with intentional plantings.
Watch out for
This plant self-seeds prolifically and can spread beyond intended areas if allowed to mature and disperse seed. In tidy garden settings or areas with sensitive perennials, volunteer seedlings may require selective removal to maintain composition. Its preference for cool, moist conditions means it tends to decline or disappear during dry summers, so it should not be relied upon as a consistent groundcover in arid climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean, Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing winter annual with square stems and clasping leaves that produces small purple or pink flowers in early spring. Often considered a winter weed but can have ornamental value in naturalized settings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Henbit Deadnettle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Henbit deadnettle provides early-season forage and nectar when few other plants are flowering, making it valuable for supporting pollinators during late winter and early spring. Compared to other winter annuals, it establishes readily in disturbed or marginal soil and requires minimal management once present. In permaculture settings, it can function as a dynamic accumulator and living mulch, though it is better suited to naturalized zones than to cultivated beds where it may compete with intentional plantings.
Watch out for
This plant self-seeds prolifically and can spread beyond intended areas if allowed to mature and disperse seed. In tidy garden settings or areas with sensitive perennials, volunteer seedlings may require selective removal to maintain composition. Its preference for cool, moist conditions means it tends to decline or disappear during dry summers, so it should not be relied upon as a consistent groundcover in arid climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean, Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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