Lion's Ear Seeds from Alchemy Works - Seeds for Magick Herbs and Pagan Gardens

small leonotis Lion's Ear (Leonotis nepetifolia) Info

In terms of planetary correspondences, Lion's ear (or lion's ears) has got to be a Jupiter herb. Like many plants ruled by that planet, it's a very imposing critter that really makes its presence known in your yard. There is something more than a little sceptre-like about its shape (Jupiter being a very kingly planetary influence), and it is named after the lion, a Jovian animal if there ever was one. That makes this magick herb good to use in protection spells and in charm bags for courage.

Medicinal Uses

This plant has long been used medicinally in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and the knowledge of this herb was carried to the New World by enslaved people. As far as its medicinal uses go, lion's ear's planetary influences are all over the celestial globe. For instance, in Trinidad, people boil the leaves and breathe in the steam as a treatment for asthma (Elemental Air). It's also a home remedy for diabetes in that country. In the Guayanas, people use this plant to deal with cramps and diarrhea, and as a diuretic (Moon), for kidney stones, skin diseases (Venus), swelling, thrush (a fungal throat infection), uterine contractions (Venus), wounds (Venus), and yaws. In the Congo, it is fed to cows who are not giving any milk (Venus) and is used to treat dysentery (Moon). In Africa, people smoke the leaves as a substitute for marijuana (those expansive feelings are very Jupiter).

In the Garden

This herb is the only member of the Leonotis family that has naturalized all over the world in tropical areas. Lion's ear can even be found growing wild throughout the southeastern US. It is considered a pest in Hawaii and Australia, but elsewhere it is not invasive and makes a great, easy-to-grow annual. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the wonderfully weird furry little flowers (the ears). The flowers are striking and last a long time when cut. When you pick them, wear gloves to protect yourself from the spiny seed heads. The stems are square, as is typical of the mint family, and the leaves are shaped like those of catnip (thus the nepetifolia - "catnip leaves"). They are soft rather than being leathery, like Leonotis leonurus. Lion's ear is also known as shandileer, klip, dagga, daggah, ball bush, cat's ear, and chandilay.

How to Grow Lion's Ear

This plant is a perennial in zones 8-11 (Deep South, Pacific Northwest, no prolonged temperatures below 40F) and an annual everywhere else. The seeds can take 10 days to germinate. Once the plant has two sets of true leaves and has been hardened off (gotten used to outside temps and sun), transplant to lots of sun, rich soil, and heavy feeding (try odorless fish emulsion) so that this plant can gain its width of 4 ft/1.5 m and height of up to 8 ft/2.4 m tall. Leaves get 2-5 in (5.1-12.7 cm) long. It should bloom the first year, but make sure it gets sufficient water. It naturally has a long growing season, so if you want to see flowers on the plant and you live in the north, gradually plant it up to a very large pot and bring it inside in the winter. In spring put it out after all danger of frost is past, and it should flower. Do not water much in winter whether it is inside or outside (in subtropics, winter is dry time). It can be grown indoors in a sunny window and of course will not get anywhere near as tall, not only because it is in a pot but because it loves sun. This is a lanky plant, so if you want it to be bushy, cut it back. The flowers come out in the cooler months, and the plant likes room to get flowers. If it is crowded, it will just keep on growing up and making leaves. to harvest the seeds, cut off the ripened (brown) spikey pods and put them in a paper bag to dry for a couple of days. Shake the bag and collect the seeds from the bottom. It is very difficult to break these spine balls apart. You can propagate this plant by stem cuttings. Just cut off a three-inch piece of stem and dip immediately in rooting hormone, which you can get at most gardening stores. Then stick it in some sterile soil, something specifically sold for growing seeds, that has been wetted with liquid kelp solution. The stem piece should make roots in 2-4 weeks. General growing info Top

Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:

Protection Spells
Courage