Lion’s Heart: An Uncommon Mediterranean Herb Worth Knowing
If you’ve stumbled across the name lion’s heart in your gardening research, you might be scratching your head wondering what exactly this plant is. Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Lallemantia peltata, commonly known as lion’s heart, is one of those lesser-known plants that occasionally pops up in specialized seed catalogs or botanical discussions, leaving many gardeners curious about its potential.
What is Lion’s Heart?
Lion’s heart is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) that behaves as either an annual or biennial herb. Like other plants in this family, it’s an herbaceous forb, meaning it lacks significant woody tissue and dies back to the ground each year. You might also see it listed under its botanical synonym, Dracocephalum peltatum, in older gardening references.
This Mediterranean native has somehow found its way to a few locations in the American West, specifically Oregon and Wyoming, where it now grows wild. While it’s established itself in these areas, it’s still quite uncommon and not widely cultivated in American gardens.
Where Does It Grow?
Originally from the Mediterranean region and western Asia, lion’s heart has adapted to life in a couple of western U.S. states. Currently, you can find naturalized populations in Oregon and Wyoming, though it remains quite rare overall.
Garden Appeal and Characteristics
As a mint family member, lion’s heart likely produces small, tubular flowers arranged in spikes – a classic characteristic of the Lamiaceae family. These flowers are typically purple or blue and would appear during the growing season. The plant probably has aromatic foliage, another mint family trait that many gardeners appreciate.
Being an annual or biennial, you can expect the plant to complete its life cycle within one to two years, producing seeds before dying back naturally.
Should You Grow Lion’s Heart?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While lion’s heart isn’t considered invasive or problematic, it is a non-native species. For gardeners focused on supporting local ecosystems and native wildlife, there are plenty of native alternatives that would provide similar benefits while being more ecologically appropriate for your region.
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing unusual herbs or have a specific interest in Mediterranean plants, lion’s heart could be an interesting addition to a collection. However, consider these native alternatives first:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – native mint family member with showy flowers
- Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) – native herb with blue-purple flower spikes
- Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) – native mint family ground cover
Growing Conditions and Care
While specific growing information for lion’s heart is limited, we can make educated guesses based on its Mediterranean origins and mint family characteristics. It likely prefers:
- Well-draining soil (Mediterranean plants typically hate wet feet)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Moderate water once established
- Protection from extreme cold if you’re pushing its hardiness limits
As with many annual and biennial herbs, direct seeding in spring would probably be your best bet for propagation, though specific planting instructions are hard to come by given the plant’s rarity in cultivation.
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
Like most mint family plants, lion’s heart would likely attract small pollinators such as bees and butterflies when in bloom. However, since it’s non-native, it won’t provide the same ecological value as indigenous plants that have co-evolved with local wildlife.
The Bottom Line
Lion’s heart is an intriguing but uncommon plant that represents more of a botanical curiosity than a garden staple. While it’s not problematic to grow, native alternatives would serve your garden’s ecosystem better while providing similar aesthetic and functional benefits. If you do decide to grow it, treat it as you would other Mediterranean herbs – give it good drainage, plenty of sun, and don’t overwater. Just remember to prevent it from self-seeding into natural areas where it might compete with native plants.
For most gardeners, exploring native mint family alternatives will provide more reliable growing information, better wildlife support, and plants that are truly at home in your local landscape.
