Lamium album aka White Dead Nettle

Lamium album, or white dead nettle, is a perennial herb. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its native range spans Eurasia and includes Britain and Ireland. It grows in fields, hedgerows, and woodland clearings. It also occurs on roadside verges and disturbed ground. This range of habitats suits both woodland and meadow settings.

Plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] in height and spread. The plant forms a bushy clump with upright stems. Rhizomatous stolons let it creep outward and cover ground. Soft hairs give the plant a downy feel. Its square stems carry leaves in opposite pairs. Each leaf has a stalk and a toothed edge. The leaf base has a slight heart shape. The foliage is deciduous, rather than green throughout the year.

White flowers appear from March through late autumn. They form whorls where leaves meet the stems. Each flower has a hairy hood above its lower lip. The lower lip has teeth along its edge. The blooms supply nectar to insects with long tongues. Bumblebees and mason bees visit them for this food. This long flowering season adds value to wildlife gardens. The plant also fits into wildflower meadows and woodland edges.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and chalk soils. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. Give it moist soil that drains well. The RHS also lists well-drained soil as suitable. A sheltered site matches the RHS growing guidance. Its UK hardiness rating is H7, covering very cold winters. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9. Plants take about two to five years to reach full size.

White dead nettle needs no routine pruning. Seed offers a way to raise new plants. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Its creeping growth makes it useful as woodland-edge ground cover. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. Young leaves can go into salads or cooked greens. They can also be dried for later use. The flowers can be used to make herbal tea. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for every pet. The plant also has a history of medicinal use. Traditional uses include treatments for menstrual complaints, not proof of clinical benefit.