Lamb's ear - Ask Extension
Moved into a new home a few years ago. They had lamb's ear in the garden and it is starting to invade my lawn. What can kill it?
Knowledgebase
Lamb's ear #450986
Asked May 01, 2018, 6:41 PM EDT
Moved into a new home a few years ago. They had lamb's ear in the garden and it is starting to invade my lawn. What can kill it?
Carver County Minnesota
Expert Response
Lambs ear is in the mint family and like most mints is perfectly happy to spread!
If there are only a few plants in your lawn, you can dig up the individual plants, ensuring you get as much of the root as possible, and pull any that come up in the next few weeks. Lamb's ear doesn't flower until later in the season, so you just want to get it out before then.
If you have a lot of it here are two options:
Solarization: Cut back the existing plants and cover tightly with plastic (not black plastic). The heat from the sun will kill the plants. Leave in place for 4-6 weeks to ensure that all plants are dead.
Herbicide: If you want to use an herbicide, look for a board leaf herbicide that contains glyphosate and triclopyr - remember to follow the directions on the label very carefully. Broad leaf herbicides will not kill your grass, but any other plant with a wide leaf - so use caution when using the product that you do not end up with overspray on plants you don't want damaged.
If there are only a few plants in your lawn, you can dig up the individual plants, ensuring you get as much of the root as possible, and pull any that come up in the next few weeks. Lamb's ear doesn't flower until later in the season, so you just want to get it out before then.
If you have a lot of it here are two options:
Solarization: Cut back the existing plants and cover tightly with plastic (not black plastic). The heat from the sun will kill the plants. Leave in place for 4-6 weeks to ensure that all plants are dead.
Herbicide: If you want to use an herbicide, look for a board leaf herbicide that contains glyphosate and triclopyr - remember to follow the directions on the label very carefully. Broad leaf herbicides will not kill your grass, but any other plant with a wide leaf - so use caution when using the product that you do not end up with overspray on plants you don't want damaged.
