Klip Dagga (Lion's Ear / Lion's Tail / Wild Klip Dagga) Leonotis Nepetifolia Flower Seeds

Discover the striking beauty of Lion’s Ear (Wild Klip Dagga) seeds, scientifically known as Leonotis nepetifolia. These seeds allow you to cultivate tall, vibrant plants with distinctive whorled flower clusters in orange (and occasionally white or red) that attract butterflies and birds while adding dramatic vertical interest to your garden. 

Key Features

• Easy-to-grow annual to short-lived perennial in suitable zones.
• Excellent for pollinator gardens, cut flower production or wild garden features.
• Dramatic whorls of tubular flowers on upright stems for visual impact.
• Works well in beds, borders, containers and naturalised meadow-style plantings.
• Adds height and vertical structure to garden design.
• Attracts butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.

Specifications & Growing Details

• Plant Type: Herbaceous ornamental (annual/short-lived perennial)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Typically zones 8-11 for perennial form; grown as annual in cooler zones.
• Life Cycle: Grown as an annual in most temperate climates; may behave as short-lived perennial in warm, frost-free areas.
• GMO Status: Non-GMO seeds
• Organic Status: Conventional (unless specified “organic” on packaging)
• Season for Sowing:
• Indoors: 6-10 weeks before last expected frost
• Outdoors: After danger of frost has passed
• Light Requirements: Full sun (minimum 6 hours)
• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile; tolerates poorer soils once established
• Height: Up to ~2-3 m (6-10 ft) under ideal conditions. 
• Flower Colour: Predominantly orange; variants include white and red. 
• Spacing: Plant seedlings ~30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart to accommodate height and structure.
• Germination: Typically within 10-20 days at ~21-24 °C (70-75 °F).
• Planting Depth: Cover seeds lightly, 1–2 mm (~1/16 in) in soil; ensure good contact with soil surface.
• Maintenance: Remove spent flower spikes to encourage further blooming; support tall stems if necessary in windy sites.
• Propagation Tip: Seeds may also self-sow in favourable conditions — monitor spread if controlling garden regime.
• Garden Use: Ideal for pollinator borders, cottage-garden style beds, wildflower meadow edges, cut-flower production and vertical accents.
• Important Notes: Though very attractive, this species can self-seed profusely and may naturalise in warm climates. Cultivate responsibly and remove undesired volunteers.

Planting Guide

• Choose a full-sun site with well-drained soil.
• Prepare seedbed by loosening topsoil, removing weeds and ensuring a firm seedbed.
• Sow seeds either directly outdoors after frost risk, or indoors for transplanting:
• Indoors: Sow 6-10 weeks before last frost, keep at ~21-24 °C, maintain moist but not water-logged soil.
• Outdoors: Sow once soil warms and risk of frost has passed.
• Cover seeds lightly (1–2 mm) and gently water to settle.
• Keep soil consistently moist until germination; thereafter water moderately, allowing topsoil to dry between waterings.
• Once seedlings reach ~10 cm (4 in) and large enough to handle, thin or transplant with ~30–45 cm spacing.
• Provide a stake or support if tall growth is expected in exposed locations.
• Deadhead spent flower spikes to promote extended bloom; alternatively allow seed heads if you wish to self-sow or collect seeds.
• At season end in cooler zones, remove spent plants; in warmer zones plants may persist into following season.