What hardiness zones is Stachys officinalis suitable for?

Stachys officinalis is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Stachys officinalis?

Stachys officinalis requires Part Sun.

How much water does Stachys officinalis need?

Stachys officinalis has Low water needs.

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Perennials

Stachys officinalis

wood betony

Lamiaceae

Throughout Europe — Britain and Atlantic coast east to Ukraine and Russia, south through Balkans and Mediterranean; open grasslands and heathland. Synonym: Betonica officinalis

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Maintenancelow

Overview

A clump-forming, upright herbaceous perennial in the family Lamiaceae, native to open grasslands, heathland, woodland edges, and meadows throughout Europe from Britain east to Ukraine and south through the Mediterranean, growing in well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soils in full sun to partial shade. Also known under the synonym Betonica officinalis. Plants form basal clumps of oblong to ovate, prominently wrinkled, scallop-edged, aromatic leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, with smaller leaves on the square flowering stems. From June through August, erect, square, hairy stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall bear dense, cylindrical terminal spikes of small, two-lipped, tubular flowers in bright rose-purple to magenta-pink, strongly attractive to bumblebees. One of the most important bee plants in European meadows. Garden cultivars include 'Hummelo' (compact, deep rosy-purple, RHS AGM) and 'Alba' (white). The epithet officinalis indicates centuries of use as a medicinal herb in European herbalism. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to open grasslands, heathland, and woodland margins throughout Europe — from Britain and the Atlantic coast east through central Europe to Ukraine and Russia, and south through France, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean region, growing in well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soils in full sun to partial shade.

Suggested Uses

Planted in mixed perennial borders, meadow gardens, and pollinator gardens at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The compact cultivar 'Hummelo' is particularly effective at the front or middle of a border combined with silver-leaved plants (Stachys byzantina, artemisia), ornamental grasses, and pale yellow achillea. One of the best bumblebee-attracting perennials for temperate gardens. Good cut flower with 5–7 day vase life.

How to Identify

Identified by basal clumps of oblong to ovate, prominently wrinkled (rugose), scallop-edged aromatic leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, and erect square stems 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall topped with dense cylindrical spikes of small two-lipped tubular flowers in bright rose-purple to magenta-pink, June through August. The prominently wrinkled, scalloped leaf texture and dense cylindrical flower spikes in bright magenta-rose distinguish it from other Stachys species and similar salvias. Synonym Betonica officinalis may appear in older literature.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

pink

rose

magenta

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Blooms June through August for 6–8 weeks, producing dense cylindrical terminal spikes of two-lipped rose-purple flowers on erect square stems. Bumblebee activity on the flower spikes is heavy and consistent — one of the premier bee-attracting perennials for temperate gardens. In the Pacific Northwest, blooms reliably June through early August. Cutting back after the first flush often stimulates a second, lighter flush in late summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

bright rose-purple to magenta-pink; dense cylindrical terminal spikes of small two-lipped tubular flowers on erect square stems

Foliage Description

medium green; oblong to ovate, prominently wrinkled (rugose), scallop-edged, aromatic; square stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• 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

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, average to lean, neutral to slightly acid soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. More tolerant of moist conditions than most Lamiaceae perennials. Tolerates clay soils and partial shade better than most plants in this family. Cut back by one-half immediately after the first bloom flush (typically late July–early August) to encourage compact regrowth and a potential second flush. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring.

Pruning

Cut back all stems by one-half to two-thirds after the first bloom flush to promote compact regrowth and a possible second flush in late summer. Cut to the ground in late fall or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring: separate the basal clump and replant sections at 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spacing. The 'Hummelo' cultivar is compact and rarely needs staking.

Pruning Schedule

summerearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic