Spotted dead nettle
Lamium maculatum
Spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6 to 9 in tall and 18 to 30 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun to deep shade. Silver-variegated foliage brightens dark shade. Spreads readily, easy to control.
On the CSU listmedium water6 to 9 in tall and 18 to 30 in wideLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Eva, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Andreas Stiller, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun, deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- loam, clay
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Site uses
- Cool north foundations, Dry shade under conifers
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 to 9 in tall and 18 to 30 in wide
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Planting spacing
- ~21 to 30 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- pink, purple, white
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySpreads via rooting stems; manageable but persistent
Using Spotted dead nettle as a groundcover
Spotted dead nettle spreads steadily. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Spotted dead nettle good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Spotted dead nettle is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Spotted dead nettle?
- The main things to know: Spreads via rooting stems; manageable but persistent
- How big does Spotted dead nettle get?
- It matures to about 6 to 9 in tall and 18 to 30 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Spotted dead nettle?
- Space Spotted dead nettle about 21 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 30 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Spotted dead nettle hardy on the Front Range?
- Spotted dead nettle is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Spotted dead nettle need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Spotted dead nettle native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Spotted dead nettle a good firewise plant near the house?
- Spotted dead nettle is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Spotted dead nettle?
- Spotted dead nettle isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Can Spotted dead nettle replace a lawn?
- Yes, Spotted dead nettle works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Spotted dead nettle spread or stay put?
- Spotted dead nettle is spreading. Spreads via rooting stems; manageable but persistent Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Spotted dead nettle stay green in winter?
- Spotted dead nettle keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
