White Dead Nettle Lamium orvala 'Album'
ABOUT
The Lamium orvala 'Album', commonly known as the white deadnettle, is a perennial herbaceous plant distinguished by its striking foliage and blooms. The leaves of the white deadnettle are heart-shaped with a slightly serrated edge, featuring a lush green hue that forms an attractive mound. This plant is particularly admired for its profusion of white flowers, which grow in whorls around the square stems, lending it a tiered appearance. The blooms are tubular and large compared to other species within the same family, drawing in pollinators like bees during their flowering season. The white flowers contrast beautifully against the greenery, making the white deadnettle a favored choice in gardens for its ornamental value.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
White Dead Nettle, White Balm, White Archangel
Common names
Lamium orvala 'Album'.
ToxicityTo humans
Balm-Leaved Red Deadnettle (Lamium orvala 'Album') does not have a prominent reputation for toxicity to humans. While there is limited information on this specific cultivar 'Album,' the Lamium genus is generally not considered toxic. Therefore, it is unlikely to cause severe poisoning if ingested. However, like with any plant material, individual sensitivity can vary, and eating non-food plants can sometimes cause mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
To pets
Balm-Leaved Red Deadnettle (Lamium orvala 'Album') is not commonly listed as a toxic plant to pets, such as dogs and cats. The genus Lamium is generally considered non-toxic, but as with any non-food item, ingestion may potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset due to irritation or an individual animal’s sensitivity. Symptoms could include vomiting or diarrhea if a pet were to ingest a significant amount of the plant matter. It's always best to keep an eye on pets and prevent them from eating plants that are not part of their regular diet to avoid any potential issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of Lamium orvala 'Album', also known as balm-leaved archangel, are nectar-rich and attract bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination.
- Aesthetic appeal: With its beautiful white flowers and attractive foliage, balm-leaved archangel adds visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Shade tolerance: Balm-leaved archangel thrives in partial shade, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens or shaded areas where other plants may struggle.
- Low maintenance: Once established, balm-leaved archangel requires minimal care, making it a convenient choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Ground cover: The plant's spreading habit makes it useful for covering bare ground and suppressing weeds, reducing the need for regular weeding.
- Drought resistance: Balm-leaved archangel is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-wise landscaping.
- Seasonal interest: Its springtime flowers and attractive foliage provide seasonal interest, brightening gardens during the growing season.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lamium orvala 'Album', commonly known as the balm-leaved red deadnettle, can be used for insect habitat, particularly beneficial for bees and butterflies seeking nectar.
- As a natural dye, the flowers and leaves of balm-leaved red deadnettle can be used to produce various shades of green and yellow on wool and other natural fibers.
- Often used in educational settings, such as botany classes, to demonstrate the various structures of a flowering plant, given its distinct flower morphology.
- In gardening, it is utilized as a ground cover to prevent soil erosion in shady areas due to its spreading habit and tolerance for low light conditions.
- This plant provides an aesthetic ornamental value for floristry in creating natural and woodland-themed flower arrangements.
- Balm-leaved red deadnettle can be planted in garden borders to create textural contrast with its heart-shaped, serrated leaves and white flowers.
- Used in landscape design for underplanting with shrubs and trees, it helps to create a cohesive and layered look in garden beds.
- The plant's dried leaves and flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixtures, adding a subtle fragrance and variety in texture.
- Photographers and artists often use balm-leaved red deadnettle as a subject to study the interplay of light and shadow on foliage and flowers.
- Incorporated into natural arts and crafts, the leaves and flowers can be pressed and used to decorate eco-friendly greeting cards or bookmarks.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Lamium orvala, commonly known as Spotted Deadnettle, is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Lamium orvala, commonly known as Spotted Deadnettle, is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Concealment: The name "Lamium" comes from the Greek word "lamia," which means "devouring monster" or "vampire." Because of its flowers hiding under the foliage, it symbolizes things that are hidden or veiled.
- Perseverance: As a hardy perennial, it represents the ability to persist and thrive in various conditions, just like it endures in the wild and in different garden settings.
- Misapprehension: Sometimes known as "Dead Nettle" despite not being a nettle and lacking the stinging properties, it conveys the idea of misunderstanding or mistaken identity.
WaterThe Lamium orvala 'Album', commonly known as the Bethlehem sage, prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil. The frequency of watering depends on climate conditions, but generally, the plant should be watered deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Preferably, watering should be done early in the morning to allow excess water on leaves to evaporate throughout the day, which can help prevent fungal diseases. In terms of the amount, an average of half a gallon per plant every week is a good starting point, adjusting as needed depending on weather conditions – more during dry, hot spells, and less during colder, wet periods.
LightBethlehem sage thrives best in partial shade to full shade conditions. It should be placed in a location where it receives diffused light or morning sun followed by afternoon shade. Avoid exposure to intense midday sun, which can scorch the foliage. A north-facing garden or under the canopy of trees with filtered sunlight is ideal for Bethlehem sage.
TemperatureThe ideal temperature range for Bethlehem sage is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit but will suffer if the temperature dips below freezing for extended periods. Conversely, temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit may stress the plant, especially if combined with intense sunlight or lack of water.
PruningPruning of Bethlehem sage is important for maintaining its shape and encouraging fuller growth. The best time to prune is after the plant has flowered, usually in late spring or early summer. Deadheading spent flowers can promote a second bloom and prevent the plant from self-seeding too vigorously. Cut back any dead or damaged stems any time they are noticed to keep the plant healthy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe White Dead Nettle thrives best in a well-draining soil mix that has rich organic content. A mixture of two parts loam, one part peat or well-rotted compost, and one part sharp sand would be ideal. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth.
RepottingWhite Dead Nettle doesn't require frequent repotting. Repotting every two to three years or when the plant outgrows its current container should suffice. This will help replenish nutrients and maintain soil structure.
Humidity & MistingWhite Dead Nettle enjoys moderate to high humidity levels. Though it can tolerate lower humidity, maintaining the humidity around 50% would be beneficial for the plant's health.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade and keep soil moderately moist.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Lamium orvala 'Album', commonly known as the white dead-nettle, begins with seed germination, typically occurring in early spring when soil temperatures warm. After germination, seedlings establish themselves with a rosette of basal leaves, and as temperatures rise, they develop a square, upright stem characteristic of the mint family. In late spring to early summer, the white dead-nettle enters its flowering stage, producing clusters of white, hooded flowers arranged in whorls at the stem's axils. Following pollination, often by bees attracted to the nectar, it forms seed capsules that eventually dry and release seeds. Throughout the growing season, the plant may continue to produce flowers and seeds intermittently. In the winter or adverse conditions, the above-ground parts die back, with the perennial root system surviving to regenerate the next spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The most popular method of propagating the Lamium orvala 'Album', commonly known as the balm-leaved red deadnettle, is through division. This process is typically done in the spring or autumn. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established plant and gently separate the root ball into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a healthy network of roots. These sections can then be replanted into well-draining soil, at the same depth they were growing previously. Water the new plants thoroughly to help establish them. It is essential to ensure that each new plant has adequate space to grow. This method is straightforward and has a high success rate, allowing gardeners to quickly increase their stock of the balm-leaved red deadnettle.
