Pests don't like lady's mantle. But diseases such as root rot, mildew and rust fungi do not necessarily stay away from it. The cause is usually care errors such as too frequent watering and a lack of nutrients.
How do I care for the lady's mantle properly?
Caring for lady's mantle includes regular watering, fertilization in spring, winter protection in rough locations and, if necessary, propagation by division or sowing. Autumnal pruning promotes a second flowering and prevents self-seeding.
Are fertilizing and watering necessary?
Ladies mantle needs to be watered regularly. It also requires a lot of nutrients. Therefore, it should be supplied with an organic fertilizer (€27.00 on Amazon) in spring. For example, rotted compost and manure, horn shavings and guano fertilizer are well suited. A thick layer of bark mulch ensures a long-term supply of nutrients. The side effect: The moisture is better retained in the soil and the lady's mantle needs to be watered less often.
Does lady's mantle need to be overwintered?
Lady's mantle is hardy in mild locations. In harsh locations such as coastal areas and at high altitudes, this herb should be protected from long and severe frosts in winter as a precaution. For example, use leaves and brushwood in combination to cover the root area of the plant.
How can it be propagated?
The most proven method for increasing lady's mantle is division. This is how it works:
- do not use young plants for dividing
- Dig up rhizomes in spring
- Shake off the earth
- carefully divide the roots with a sharp knife
- Attention: Roots are extremely fine and should not be damaged
Lady's mantle can also be sown or you are happy to take the sowing into your own hands. The seeds must have survived a period of cold. Afterwards they should not be covered with soil at all or thinly (light germinators). They will germinate after two to three weeks if the soil was kept moist.
When and how does lady's mantle have to be cut?
In the fall, after flowering, cut off the stems and leaves of the lady's mantle to just above the ground. New leaves then emerge, which survive the winter in mild locations.
To avoid self-sowing, you should not wait until the fruits have formed before cutting. It is also recommended to cut the plant down after the first flowering. The result is a second flowering in late summer.
Tips & Tricks
When planting, choose a location where the lady's mantle can spread unhindered. So you won't be upset if it happily sows itself.
