One of the first wild greens to appear in mid-winter, purple deadnettle offers early forage for bees. Common in Europe, this plant was brought over to the US and Canada.

We encourage Lamium purpureum to work as a groundcover in our forest garden. 

Common Name: Purple deadnettle

Scientific Name:  Lamium purpureum

Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Primary Uses

Edible Parts: Young Leaves 

Medicinal Uses: Astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative, and styptic.

Meaning of Scientific Name: From Latin labium- “lip,” from Greek Laimos-referring to the throat or gullet. Greek translation: “the devouring purple monster”

 

Designing with this Plant

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Forest garden layer: Cultivated beds

Fun Facts:

• Are called “Dead” because their leaves do not have the “sting” related to those of the nettle family
• Can self-pollinate
• The flowers are hermaphrodite  

Look-Alikes: Lamium amplexicaule,“henbit”

Sources:

“Lamium purpureum” Plants For A Future  

“Weed of the Month: Purple Deadnettle” Brookland Botanic Garden

”Purple Deadnettle” Edible Wild Food