Is motherwort invasive?

Yes, it spreads readily by seed and can become aggressive in garden settings.

How do I control its spread?

Deadhead the flowers before they go to seed to prevent self sowing.

Plant guide

Motherwort.

Leonurus cardiaca

Pronounced lee-oh-NOO-rus kar-dee-AH-kah

Also known as Common Motherwort, Motherwort

common motherwort — Photo by Виктория Билоус (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Motherwort is a hardy perennial herb that has been used in traditional herbalism for ages. It is a member of the mint family and is known for its tall, square stems and lobed leaves. You will find it is quite resilient and often spreads easily in the garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

This plant prefers well drained soil and can handle a variety of light conditions. Keep an eye out for aphids on the flower spikes during the summer months. It is a vigorous grower, so make sure you give it enough space to spread.

Watering: Water during dry spells and let the top few centimetres of soil dry out between waterings. Established plants tolerate short droughts.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flower stalks to encourage new growth and prevent unwanted self seeding.
Repotting: Repot if the plant becomes root bound or if you need to divide the clump to manage its size.
Soil: Well drained loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally safe but may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Children: Keep children away from the plant to avoid skin irritation from the bristly leaves.
Contact allergens: The leaves have fine hairs that can cause skin irritation upon handling.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger mild seasonal allergies in susceptible people.
Edibility: Motherwort is generally considered a medicinal herb and should not be consumed in large quantities or by pregnant individuals without professional guidance.

How to identify it

Square stems typical of mint family
Palmately lobed leaves with jagged edges
Small pink or white tubular flowers
Dense clusters of flowers at leaf axils

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that appears as white dust on the leaves during humid weather.
Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut the dead stems back to the ground in late autumn or early spring. The roots are very hardy and do not require special protection.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it is best suited for the ground due to its size and vigor.

Seed Sowing

1. Sow seeds directly in the garden in autumn or early spring.
2. Barely cover the seeds with soil as they need light to germinate.
3. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge.

Division

1. Dig up a mature clump in early spring.
2. Divide the root ball into smaller sections with a sharp spade.
3. Replant immediately in well draining soil.

Give this plant plenty of space as it can quickly crowd out smaller, less vigorous neighbors.

Grows well with

Lemon Balm · Both are members of the mint family and thrive in similar conditions.
Yarrow · Yarrow provides a nice textural contrast to the tall spikes of motherwort.

Similar species

Horehound · It shares a similar growth habit and medicinal history.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Leonurus
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of Central Asia.
Conservation: This plant is considered an invasive weed in many parts of North America and should be managed accordingly.

It thrives in disturbed soils and waste areas where it can easily outcompete other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: medicinal herb, pollinator garden, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is motherwort invasive?: Yes, it spreads readily by seed and can become aggressive in garden settings.
How do I control its spread?: Deadhead the flowers before they go to seed to prevent self sowing.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Leonurus comes from Greek words meaning lion and tail, referring to the flower spike shape. The species name cardiaca refers to its traditional use for heart health.

Good to know

Motherwort is a member of the mint family.
It was traditionally planted near homes to ward off evil spirits.
The plant is highly attractive to honeybees.
It is a very hardy perennial that can thrive in poor soil.

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.