Botanical profile

Motherwort

Latin name
Leonurus cardiaca
Common name
Motherwort
Type
Medicinal and aromatic perennial
Family
Lamiaceae

Motherwort is an aromatic and medicinal perennial plant with a natural habit, appreciated for its vertical silhouette, dissected foliage, and discreet but very useful flowering in the garden. It produces small pink to purple flowers clustered along the stems, which are very attractive to pollinators like bees and bumblebees. Its wild and light appearance fits perfectly into herb gardens, naturalized plantings, perennial beds, and medicinal plant gardens.

Easy to grow, motherwort prefers a sunny or partially shaded location, in well-drained, cool to moderately moist soil. Once established, it requires little maintenance and can form a beautiful clump over the seasons. Its vigorous growth makes it an interesting plant for adding height, texture, and a country feel to the garden, while promoting biodiversity thanks to its melliferous flowers.

Traditionally recognized as a medicinal plant, motherwort is mainly cultivated today for its botanical interest, ecological role, and natural charm. It is very well suited for wild-inspired gardens, perennial borders, and spaces where one wishes to integrate useful, hardy, and easy-to-maintain plants. An excellent perennial for creating a vibrant, natural garden rich in aromatic and medicinal plants.

Care guide

Care level
Easy level

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Medicinal melliferous plant with a natural habit
Medicinal garden, pollinator garden, naturalized border, pot cultivation
Container growing
Yes, in a large, deep container
Seasonal care
Cut back dead stems in the fall or spring; may self-seed
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
3 to 7
Exposure
Full sun to partial shade
Watering
Moderate; keep the soil slightly moist without overwatering
Humidity
Average
Fertilization
Compost in spring; avoid excess nitrogen
Soil type
Well-drained soil, fertile to ordinary, moist but not soggy
Soil pH
Neutral to slightly alkaline
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Sowing, division
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
June to September
Flower color
Lilac to pale purple rose
Foliage color
Medium green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Erect tuft
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
90 to 150 cm (36 to 60 inches)
Width
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Growth rate
Fast
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Sage, thyme, lavender, echinacea
Plants to avoid
None specifically known
Spacing
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Harvest period
July to September
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.