How to grow alchemilla

What is alchemilla?

Also known as lady’s mantle, these popular clump-forming perennials have a gentle, under-stated charm, with attractive leaves and frothy summer flowers. The velvety leaves are water-resistant and after rain are left bejewelled with round droplets.

Alchemilla mollis is the most widely grown, but a few other species are available – all fairly similar in appearance, with variations in the leaves or plant size. They form low mounds or mats of foliage from spring to late autumn, dying back over winter, but sprouting afresh in spring.  

Easy-going and adaptable, alchemillas thrive in sun or light shade. They are ideal as low, leafy border edgings or ground cover under plants such as roses, in cottage-style borders and in both formal and informal plantings. The smaller alpine species are work well in rock gardens. The frothy, lime-green flowers are popular in cut-flower displays, the ideal foil for more showy blooms.

Alchemillas are low maintenance – just trim them back after flowering if they start to look tatty or to prevent self-seeding. They also have the advantage of being untroubled by pests, including slugs and snails, due to their downy leaves.

Choosing alchemillas for your garden

Alchemillas have a subtle, under-stated elegance. They work well in gardens of all sizes and styles, forming soft green ground cover and border edgings. The mat-forming species are also perfect for alpine displays. 

Undemanding and adaptable, they are happy in sun or partial shade, in most soil types apart from waterlogged or very dry conditions. They are generally resilient, healthy plants, untroubled by pests and diseases – and a particularly good choice if slugs and snails thrive in your garden. Even rabbits and deer generally avoid them.

There are several species to choose from, although the most popular by far, and the most readily available, is Alchemilla mollis – the go-to choice and a staple of cottage gardens. It’s a classic partner in rose gardens and a versatile and on-trend cut flower.

Other alchemillas you may come across include:

• A. epipsila is similar to A. mollis but less dense, with softly hairy, rounded leaves and loose clusters of flowers

• A. erythropoda has small, rounded, hairy leaves with toothed edges, and blooms from late spring 

• A. conjuncta is an alpine with small, deeply lobed leaves that have a silvery edging and underside, plus dainty summer flowers

• A. alpina, another similar-looking alpine species, has leaves that are deeply divided into seven lobes and edged in silvery hairs. It forms a low, gently spreading mat with small flowering sprigs

To browse photos and descriptions of alchemillas, go to RHS Find a Plant. Those with an RHS Award of Garden Merit performed well in RHS trials, so are particularly reliable choices. ​

Soil types

Soil types

How and what to buy

Plants are widely available in a range of container sizes from garden centres and online suppliers. They may occasionally be sold as

These have been lifted from the ground while dormant, with little or no soil around their roots. Various plants may be available bare root, including fruit trees, hedging plants and some perennials. They are generally cheaper than plants in containers, but are only available in winter/early spring, while dormant

Packeted seeds of Alchemilla mollis are readily available – and occasionally other species too – as they are easy to grow from seed.

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: mail order plants

Buying: mail order plants

RHS guide to choosing healthy plants

RHS guide to choosing healthy plants

Where to plant

• Alchemillas are very adaptable and grow well in sun or partial shade, in most soil types, including clay

• Avoid planting in waterlogged or very dry sites

• They are happy both in the ground and in containers 

When to plant

• Alchemillas can be planted at any time of year, but ideally in autumn (especially in drier regions) or spring, when the soil is damp and warm, which helps them settle in readily

• ​If you plant in summer, be prepared to water regularly, especially in hot dry spells, to keep the soil around the roots moist until they are well established in their new home

• Bare-root plants are sold by mail order in winter, and should be planted immediately on arrival

How to plant

• Like most perennials, alchemillas are easy to plant, ideally about 30cm (1ft) apart – see our guide below

• They are also quick and easy to plant in containers, usually as part of a mixed display​

• With bare-root plants, see our guide to buying by mail order for care tips

• Alchemilla mollis grows readily from seed, either collected from your own plants or bought in packets – see Propagation below

Perennials: planting

Perennials: planting

RHS guide to planting container displays

RHS guide to planting container displays

Watering

• Newly planted alchemillas need watering regularly for their first summer

• Once established, plants in borders should only need watering in dry spells or if growing in a particularly dry site

• Plants in containers need regular watering throughout the growing season, as the limited amount of compost dries out quickly, especially in hot weather 

Water: collecting, storing and re-using

Water: collecting, storing and re-using

Watering

Watering

Feeding

There is usually no need to feed alchemillas.

Mulching

Spread a thick mulch of organic matter, such as home-made garden compost, around plants in spring, to help hold moisture in the soil over summer. Worms will gradually work it into the soil, improving its structure and fertility.

Mulches and mulching

Mulches and mulching

Caring for older plants

To keep plants healthy and vigorous, especially A. mollis, divide every few years in spring or autumn – see our step-by-step guide below. This will give you more plants for free, to add to your borders or share with friends.

Perennials: dividing

Perennials: dividing

Cutting back

If you want to prevent self-seeding, snip off the faded flowers before they set seed. 

By late July, alchemillas have finished flowering and the leaves may be past their best. So simply cut the whole plant down to the base, then water well, and fresh new velvety leaves will soon grow.

Although re-growth is quick, cutting back the foliage will leave a temporary gap, so it’s best not to grow alchemilla alongside other plants that need similar treatment, such as nepeta and hardy geraniums.

Alchemillas naturally die back in autumn and resprout afresh in spring. To keep your border tidy, you can cut off the faded foliage in autumn, although leaving it in place will provide valuable shelter for insects and other small creatures over winter. Just remember to remove any remaining leaves before new ones appear in spring.

Deadheading plants

Deadheading plants

Perennials: cutting back

Perennials: cutting back

Supporting drooping flower stems

While alchemillas don’t need staking, heavy summer rainfall can sometimes cause the flowerheads to droop. If they’re falling onto a path, simply prop them up with twiggy sticks or low hoops.

Perennials: staking

Perennials: staking

It’s easy to make new plants for free by dividing established clumps or collecting and sowing the seeds.

Dividing clumps

• This is quick and easy, and best done in early spring or autumn – see our guide below

• Splitting clumps with a sharp spade is usually the easiest method 

• Discard any old and woody central sections, choosing younger pieces at the edges of the clump, approximately 15cm (6in) across

Perennials: dividing

Perennials: dividing

Growing from seed

Alchemillas grow readily from seed, and you’ll often find young seedlings popping up near established plants if you leave the seedheads in place after flowering. You can simply dig up these seedlings in spring and move them to whenever you want them to grow.

You can also collect ripe seeds from your plants and sow them in pots in late summer or the following spring. They should germinate readily and can be kept outside in a sheltered spot, or in a greenhouse or coldframe, until large enough to plant into borders.

Seed: collecting and storing

Seed: collecting and storing

RHS step-by-step guide to sowing seeds

RHS step-by-step guide to sowing seeds

Alchemillas are generally robust, healthy, long-lived plants, rarely affected by diseases or pests – they’re even untroubled by slugs and snails. Deer and rabbits also tend to leave them alone.

However, in favourable sites they may self-seed more than is polite. To prevent this, simply deadhead them, remove the faded flowers before seeds form. Or share the offspring with friends.

More advice

If you're a member of the RHS, you can use our online Gardening Advice Service, via MyRHS, for any gardening problems or queries