Ajuga reptans

creeping bugleweed

Lamiaceae

At a Glance

TypePerennial

Height0-0'

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Ajuga reptans is a low-growing herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae family native to Europe, characterized by its stoloniferous growth habit that forms dense mat-like colonies and distinctive square stems with purple-blue flower spikes rising 10-15 cm above the foliage. The plant produces rosettes of spatula-shaped leaves that are typically dark green with purple highlights, though many cultivars offer variegated foliage colors, and spreads aggressively by above-ground runners to colonize bare ground quickly. This creeping bugleweed differs from upright Ajuga species by its prostrate, carpet-forming habit and is valued as a groundcover for shaded areas, though it can become invasive in optimal conditions due to its rapid spread by both stolons and self-seeding.

How to Identify

Ajuga reptans is identified by its low-growing, mat-forming habit with glossy, dark green to purple-tinted leaves arranged in opposite pairs forming tight basal rosettes, and distinctive square stems characteristic of the mint family with dense spikes of blue-violet two-lipped flowers. The plant spreads aggressively by stolons (runners) that root at nodes, and the spatulate leaves are 3-4 inches long with scalloped margins, while the flower spikes rise 4-6 inches above the foliage in spring.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 6"

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

blue

Foliage Colors

green

purple

Bloom Information

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

Drainage

average

Care & Maintenance

Pruning

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing