Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

How do I stop it from spreading?

Deadhead the flowers before they set seed to prevent self-sowing.

Plant guide

Lady's Mantle.

Alchemilla mollis

Pronounced al-kem-ILL-uh MOLL-iss

Also known as Garden Lady's-mantle, Lady's Mantle, Lady's-Mantle

Lady's Mantle is a charming, clump forming perennial prized for its scalloped, light green leaves. It produces airy sprays of tiny, chartreuse flowers that look beautiful in cottage gardens. This plant is a wonderful choice for softening the edges of borders or paths.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 45cm tall by 60cm wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide some shade during the hottest part of the day. Watch for browning leaf edges which often indicate the plant is too dry or getting too much sun. Deadhead the spent flower stalks to encourage a tidy appearance and prevent unwanted self seeding.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced granular fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Cut back foliage after flowering or if it looks ragged in late summer.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
Soil: Moist, well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface of the soil
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans.
Children: The plant is safe for children, though the foliage can be slightly rough to the touch.
Contact allergens: Some people may experience mild skin irritation from the fine hairs on the leaves.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: While not toxic, it is not considered a culinary herb and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Scalloped, fan shaped leaves
Soft, hairy leaf texture
Tiny, star shaped chartreuse flowers
Forms low, mounding clumps
Leaves often trap water droplets

Height: 0.3 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.6m
Leaves: chartreuse, green, deciduous
Flowers: chartreuse, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut the foliage back to the ground in late autumn or early spring to encourage fresh, healthy growth.
In containers: It grows well in pots, provided the container is at least 30 cm wide and has excellent drainage.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring or autumn.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in moist, well-draining soil.

Plant in groups of three or five to create a lush, weed-suppressing carpet.

Grows well with

Blue Geranium — The blue flowers provide a beautiful color contrast to the chartreuse foliage.
Hosta — They share similar light and moisture requirements in the shade garden.
Astilbe — The feathery plumes of the Astilbe look lovely against the rounded leaves of the Lady's Mantle.

Similar species

Alpine Lady's Mantle — A smaller species better suited for rock gardens.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Alchemilla
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Carpathians and Turkey.
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is widely naturalized.

It thrives in cool, moist mountain meadows where it forms dense mats that suppress weeds.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: groundcover, border plant, cut flower, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
How do I stop it from spreading?: Deadhead the flowers before they set seed to prevent self-sowing.

Where the name comes from

Alchemilla comes from the Arabic word al-kemelyeh, referring to the plant's supposed alchemical properties. Mollis means soft, describing the texture of the leaves.

Good to know

The name Lady's Mantle refers to the leaves resembling a cloak worn by the Virgin Mary.
The dew collected on the leaves was historically used by alchemists in their attempts to turn base metals into gold.
It is a fantastic plant for softening the edges of stone paths.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.