Purple Dead Nettle Lamium purpureum

Purple Dead-nettle is a flowering, winter annual (sometimes a summer annual) in the mint family, but without the aroma of mint. It is usually considered a common lawn weed and originates from Europe and Asia. It is low growing, maturing to 2 feet 6 inches with no branches. The blooming period for bright reddish purple 1/2 inch flowers usually occurs during mid- to late spring and lasts about 1½ months, although plants that are summer annuals may bloom during the fall. The upper surface of each leaf has a reticulated network of indented veins, creating a wrinkly appearance. Each pair of leaves rotates 90° from the pair of leaves immediately below or above. It can be found in lawns, along roads, gardens and meadows. It is often confused with Henbit, which can grow along side Purple Dead-nettle. Henbit can be distinguished by its stemless leaves.

Purple Dead-nettle prefers full sun or light shade and moist fertile soil. It will, however, tolerate sandy or clay soils. This plant develops quickly during the cool weather of spring. It is typically viewed as a common garden weed, flowering at any time of the year with seed germinating whenever the weather is mild. It is easily controlled.

The common name 'Purple Dead-nettle' refers to the resemblance of Lamium leaves to members of the Nettle family, which have stinging hairs. However, members of the Lamium genus lack stinging hairs.

The root system consists of a taproot. This plant occasionally forms dense colonies by reseeding itself. It can become weedy and is often found in moist fallow fields, ditches and drainage canals, gardens and nursery plots, weedy edges of woodlands, and various kinds of waste ground. It prefers degraded sites with a history of disturbance.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on controlling Purple Dead-nettle in lawns and gardens.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

The foliage is little bothered by disease and insect pests.