Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun to partial shade for best flowering.

How often should I divide it?

Dividing every 3 to 4 years keeps the plant vigorous.

Plant guide

Common hedgenettle.

Betonica officinalis

Pronounced beh-TON-ih-kuh oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss

Also known as Betony, Common betony, European hedge-nettle, bishop's-wort, common hedge-nettle

This lovely perennial is a classic medicinal herb that brings a touch of cottage garden charm to your space. It produces beautiful spikes of purple flowers that attract pollinators throughout the summer months. You will find it is quite hardy and adapts well to various garden conditions.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to ensure the roots stay healthy. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that the plant needs a drink, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second flush of blooms. It thrives best when given plenty of space to spread in well draining soil.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once during the spring growth spurt.
Pruning: Trim back faded flower stalks to keep the plant tidy and promote new growth.
Repotting: Refresh the soil or move to a larger container if the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining loam
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 drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic, but excessive ingestion may cause stomach irritation.
Children: There are no specific dangers to children, but it is always best to discourage eating unknown garden plants.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.
Edibility: While historically used in herbal teas, consult a professional before consuming as it can cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Spikes of tubular purple flowers
Wrinkled, oval shaped basal leaves
Square stems typical of mint family
Toothed leaf margins
Clumping growth habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, pink, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation or high humidity.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back dead foliage in late autumn or early spring. It is quite hardy and does not require special winter protection.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 30 centimeters wide with good drainage.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in spring or autumn.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the sections immediately at the same depth.

Plant in groups of three or more to create a stronger visual impact and better attract pollinators.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and water needs while providing a nice color contrast.
Catmint · Both plants attract pollinators and have similar growth habits.

Similar species

Lamb's Ear · It is a close relative with similar flower spikes but much fuzzier foliage.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Betonica
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows in diverse habitats like grasslands and woodland edges, where it relies on bees for pollination.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: pollinator garden, herb garden, border plant, ground cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun to partial shade for best flowering.
How often should I divide it?: Dividing every 3 to 4 years keeps the plant vigorous.

Where the name comes from

The name Betonica is an ancient Latin name of uncertain origin, while officinalis refers to its historical status as a medicinal herb sold in apothecaries.

Good to know

It was once known as Stachys officinalis.
The plant was traditionally used to dye wool a yellow color.
It thrives in meadows and open woodlands across Europe.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.