Purple Deadnettle: The Early-Blooming Ground Cover That Divides Gardeners
If you’ve ever noticed small purple flowers carpeting the ground in early spring, you’ve likely encountered purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum var. incisum). This little annual herb has a knack for showing up uninvited in gardens across North America, and gardeners seem to either love it or spend considerable energy trying to get rid of it.
What Exactly is Purple Deadnettle?
Purple deadnettle is an annual forb—essentially a non-woody plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Despite its somewhat ominous common name, it’s completely harmless to humans and animals. The deadnettle part simply refers to its resemblance to stinging nettles, minus the sting.
This particular variety, scientifically known as Lamium purpureum var. incisum, is distinguished by its deeply cut, heart-shaped leaves. You might also see it listed under its synonyms Lamium dissectum or Lamium hybridum in older gardening references.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from Europe and western Asia, purple deadnettle has made itself quite at home across much of North America. It currently grows wild in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Newfoundland, and numerous U.S. states including Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
As a non-native species, it reproduces spontaneously in the wild and tends to persist once established, though it’s not currently classified as invasive in most areas.
The Case for Purple Deadnettle
Before you dismiss this humble little plant, consider its surprising benefits:
- Early pollinator support: Purple deadnettle blooms when few other flowers are available, providing crucial early-season nectar for small bees and beneficial insects
- Low maintenance: As a self-seeding annual, it requires virtually no care once established
- Attractive foliage: The purple-tinged, deeply cut leaves create an interesting texture, especially when grown in masses
- Spring color: Its small purple-pink flowers add cheerful color to the garden when most perennials are still dormant
Growing Conditions and Care
Purple deadnettle is remarkably adaptable and undemanding. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, though as an annual, cold tolerance isn’t a major concern. The plant prefers:
- Partial shade to full sun locations
- Various soil types, including poor soils
- Moderate moisture, though it’s quite drought tolerant once established
If you decide to grow purple deadnettle intentionally, you can direct seed it in fall or early spring. However, most gardeners find that once it’s present, it readily self-seeds for the following year.
Landscape Uses
Purple deadnettle works best in informal garden settings such as:
- Cottage gardens where a naturalized look is desired
- Woodland edges and shaded areas
- As temporary ground cover in areas being developed
- Mixed with other early spring ephemerals
The Native Alternative Approach
While purple deadnettle isn’t necessarily harmful, many gardeners prefer to emphasize native plants that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems more effectively. Consider these native alternatives that offer early spring blooms and pollinator benefits:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) for shaded ground cover
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) for early spring flowers
- Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) for delicate early blooms
- Violets (Viola species) for low-growing spring color
The Bottom Line
Purple deadnettle occupies an interesting middle ground in the gardening world. It’s not aggressive enough to be truly problematic, yet not quite special enough to actively seek out for most gardens. If it appears naturally in your landscape and you enjoy its early spring show, there’s no urgent need to remove it. However, if you’re planning a new garden or looking to support native wildlife, investing in native alternatives will likely provide greater long-term ecological benefits.
The choice, as with many gardening decisions, ultimately comes down to your personal garden goals and aesthetic preferences. Just remember that sometimes the most overlooked plants can surprise us with their quiet charm and ecological value.
