Bugle vs Spotted dead-nettle

Bugle and Spotted dead-nettle are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Bugle

Ajuga reptans 20 cm × 1 m after 10 years

A low ground cover that spreads quickly by runners and knits a dense carpet under trees and shrubs in part shade or shade, with spikes of blue flowers…

Ground cover

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 49

Spotted dead-nettle

Lamium maculatum 20 cm × 90 cm after 10 years

Spotted dead-nettle is a low, fast-knitting ground cover for shade and part shade: its silver-marked leaves brighten dark corners and pink, purple…

Ground cover

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 49

Key differences

Spotted dead-nettle tolerates drought better than Bugle.
Spotted dead-nettle also takes chalky soil, Bugle prefers acidic soil and struggles on chalk.
Bugle also takes heavy clay, Spotted dead-nettle needs a loose, free-draining soil.

Which one to choose?

Bugle is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay.

Spotted dead-nettle is the better choice if you cannot water regularly or the soil is chalky.

Watch out for

Bugle

Crown rot can thin out plantings in heavy, wet soil and in humid, stagnant air, so divide clumps that become overcrowded. Powdery mildew may also occur. The runners grow into lawns and neighbouring beds.

Spotted dead-nettle

In the hot summers of Central Europe, especially in muggy weather, the carpet melts out into bare patches: cut it back then and it will grow fresh leaves. The foliage scorches in sun and in soil that dries out, and the crown rots in waterlogged, compacted ground. It spreads strongly and can overrun smaller neighbours, and aphids and slugs occasionally find it.

The data side by side

Feature	Bugle	Spotted dead-nettle
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	20 cm × 1 m (uncertain)	20 cm × 90 cm
Ultimate size	10–30 cm × 0.3–1 m (uncertain)	10–25 cm × 30–90 cm
Growth rate	Fast	Fast
Light	Part shade, Shade	Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic	Average garden soil, Acidic, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	no data	Low
Foliage	Semi-evergreen (uncertain)	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	April–June, blue (uncertain)	May–September, pink, purple, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	25 cm	30 cm
For dogs	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	no data	Non-toxic
Typical price	approx. CZK 79	approx. CZK 69

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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