Images Depict Mature Plants
Ghost Lamium (Lamium maculatum ‘Ghost’)
Lamium maculatum 'Ghost'
Ghost Lamium is a great little problem solver for shade. The silver foliage makes dark beds look brighter, and the flowers give you a nice spring bonus without needing much attention. I like it under trees, along shaded paths, and spilling out of containers. Just remember it is a groundcover, so give it a place where spreading is helpful, or be ready to trim the edges now and then.
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A Silver-Foliage Shade Groundcover with Orchid-Pink Flowers
Bright Silver Foliage for Dark Garden Spaces
Ghost Lamium is a low-growing perennial groundcover known for its bright silver-white foliage and soft purple-pink flowers. Botanically known as Lamium maculatum ‘Ghost’, this shade-loving plant gives dark garden beds a clean, luminous look that stands out under trees, along walkways, in woodland borders, and beneath shrubs.
The nearly silver leaves are the main attraction. They brighten shady areas even when the plant is not in bloom, making Ghost Lamium especially useful where green foliage alone would disappear into the background.
Purple-Pink Flowers in Spring and Early Summer
Ghost Lamium produces small hooded flowers in shades of purple, lavender, or pink-purple, typically appearing in spring and often continuing lightly into early summer. The flowers rise just above the foliage and add a soft seasonal layer without overwhelming the silver leaves.
These blooms make the plant more than just a foliage groundcover. Use Ghost Lamium near patios, paths, and front-of-border shade plantings where the flowers and silver leaves can be appreciated up close.
A Creeping Groundcover for Shade and Part Shade
Ghost Lamium spreads by trailing stems that root where they touch the soil, gradually forming a low mat. This makes it helpful for filling bare soil under trees, softening bed edges, covering shaded slopes, and weaving between larger shade perennials.
It grows best in part shade to shade with average, well-drained soil. Lamium appreciates even moisture, especially while establishing, but it can tolerate some dry shade once rooted in. Avoid constantly wet or poorly drained sites.
Excellent with Hostas, Ferns, and Woodland Plants
The silver foliage of Ghost Lamium pairs beautifully with darker green hostas, ferns, hellebores, heuchera, brunnera, astilbe, foamflower, and other shade perennials. Its low habit makes it a strong ground-layer plant beneath taller foliage and flowering companions.
Ghost Lamium also works well in containers and hanging baskets as a trailing spiller. The silver foliage softens pot edges and adds contrast to shade-friendly annuals, tropicals, and perennials.
Low Maintenance with the Right Boundaries
Ghost Lamium is generally considered deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established. It does not need regular pruning, but it can be trimmed after flowering, or anytime it grows beyond its intended space.
Because Lamium is a spreading groundcover, it is best used where coverage is wanted. Edge the planting, trim wandering stems, or divide clumps as needed to keep it tidy. In rich, moist shade, it may spread more quickly than in dry shade.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 8 to 14 Inches |
| Mature Width: | 12 to 24 Inches |
| Sunlight: | Part shade to full shade; tolerates morning sun with enough moisture |
| Soil | Average, well-drained soil; prefers evenly moist soil but tolerates some dry shade once established |
| Water Requirements: | Water regularly after planting; average moisture once established; avoid soggy soil |
| Bloom Time / Color | Spring to early summer; purple, lavender, or pink-purple flowers |
| Ornamental Features | Silver foliage, purple-pink flowers, spreading groundcover habit, shade-brightening color |
| Wildlife Value | Flowers may attract bees and other pollinators; foliage provides low groundcover texture |
| Resistance | Generally deer resistant; low maintenance; shade tolerant; tolerates dry shade once established |
| Landscape Uses | Shade groundcover, under-tree planting, woodland garden, path edge, shaded slope, container spiller, hanging basket, border front, living mulch, foundation shade planting |
How to Care for Ghost Lamium (Lamium maculatum ‘Ghost’)
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Ghost Lamium for years to come!
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How should I plant Ghost Lamium?
Plant Ghost Lamium in part shade to full shade with average, well-drained soil. It is especially useful under trees, along shaded walkways, at the front of woodland beds, in containers, or anywhere you want a bright silver groundcover to soften bare soil. Dig a hole about as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, and water thoroughly. Space plants about 12–18 inches apart for faster groundcover coverage, or slightly farther apart if you want a looser natural spread.
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How often should I water Ghost Lamium after planting?
Water Ghost Lamium deeply after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish. During the first growing season, water when the top few inches of soil begin to dry, especially under trees where roots compete for moisture. Once established, Ghost Lamium can tolerate some dry shade, but it looks fuller with occasional watering during extended dry periods. Avoid keeping the soil constantly soggy, especially in heavy clay or poorly drained beds.
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When should I fertilize Ghost Lamium?
Ghost Lamium usually needs little fertilizer in average garden soil. A light spring topdressing of compost or a mild, slow-release fertilizer is enough for most landscape plantings. Avoid heavy fertilizing, which can encourage overly soft growth and faster spreading. Good soil preparation, proper shade, and consistent establishment watering are more important than frequent feeding.
When and how should I prune Ghost Lamium?
Trim Ghost Lamium after its main spring bloom if you want a tidier appearance or need to control spread. Use shears to lightly cut back wandering stems, tired foliage, or edges that have grown beyond the planting area. You can also refresh the plant in early spring by removing winter-damaged foliage before new growth fills in. If the planting becomes too dense, divide clumps in spring or early fall and replant only the healthiest sections.
