Lion's Ear is a tall, evergreen tropical plant from southern Africa that produces stunning peachy-orange flowers in early fall, earning it the alternate name Christmas Candlestick. A member of the mint family native to southern Africa, it has been used as a folk medicine for treating various ailments and has shown promise in scientific studies. Hardy in zones 9-11, it thrives in full sun and reaches maturity within a compact spacing of 24 inches. A word of caution: this plant contains mild narcotic properties.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
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High
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Tall spikes of vivid peachy-orange flowers emerge in early fall on this evergreen tropical mint, creating a visual spectacle that justifies its nickname Christmas Candlestick. Leonotis nepetifolia demands full sun and reasonable warmth but rewards patient growers with prolific blooms. Its historical use in southern African folk medicine and documented potential in scientific studies give it genuine cultural and medicinal weight beyond ornamental appeal.
Lion's Ear functions primarily as a medicinal herb in its native southern African context, where traditional practitioners prepare it to address various health conditions. In Western gardens, it serves a dual purpose: ornamental gardeners cultivate it for its striking peachy-orange flower spikes, while those interested in ethnobotany and herbal traditions grow it to explore its historical medicinal applications. The flowers, which emerge in abundance, are the plant's most visually distinctive feature.
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Maintain soil temperature around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. Seeds typically sprout within 7-21 days. Sow at a depth of 1/8 inch, pressing seeds gently into moist seed-starting mix. Provide bright, indirect light once sprouts emerge.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting. Space plants 24 inches apart in full sun locations.
Prune Lion's Ear in late winter or early spring to encourage compact, bushy growth and to remove any winter-damaged growth. Deadheading spent flower spikes will extend blooming and encourage the plant to produce additional flowers throughout the early fall season.
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“Native to southern Africa, Lion's Ear has been cultivated there as a traditional folk remedy for treating numerous ailments, a practice that has garnered enough scientific interest to warrant modern studies examining its therapeutic properties. This heirloom carries the botanical name Leonotis nepetifolia and belongs to the Lamiaceae family, rooting it firmly within the mint lineage. Its journey from African traditional medicine gardens to Western horticulture reflects broader patterns of ethnobotanical discovery and the preservation of indigenous plant knowledge in seed-saving communities.”