Mazus is a low-growing, flowering, herbaceous perennial in the Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae), native to the Himalayas. The Genus name comes from the Greek for teat. M. miquelii is also known as M. reptans . Mazus is a small plant, reaching a height of 3 inches, but with a spread between 6 and 12 inches. It forms a dense carpet of foliage that remains green into the fall and produces small clusters of purple flowers. The plant produces small lavender blossoms in early summer. Mazus does well in full sun or partial shade, medium to wet, well-drained soil, with consistent moisture. It prefers moist, rich soils. When grown as a ground cover, six plants per square yard are sufficient to fill in area of that size. The plant will spread by creeping stems that root at the nodes. It is considered an invasive weed in some northern states. Mazus grows well in wet sites, a rock garden, or growing between stepping stones. It tolerates foot traffic well and can be mowed making it a lawn alternative. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Carex laxiculmis 'Bunny Blue'Viola sororia
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Dense; Horizontal; Prostrate; Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Obovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Serrate
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow, bright green leaves form a dense carpet of foliage that remains green throughout the growing season and well into the fall. Foliage is evergreen in warm winter climates. Basal leaves are numerous, obovate to spatulate, 1 to 2 inches.. Stem leaves on erect stems alternate, on stolons mostly opposite.
Flower color
Blue; Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers bloom in the late spring and summer around June and July generally. Tiny, purplish-blue, tubular, 2-lipped flowers with yellow and white markings appear in small clusters. Racemes terminal.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Temperate East Asia and the Himalayas.
Distribution
China, Japan, United States (New England west to Ohio and south to Virginia).
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Rain Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Small groups
Garden tags
#rock garden #lawn alternative #herbaceous perennial #low growing #purple #low maintenance #full sun tolerant #groundcover #purple flowers #disease resistant #rain garden #wet soils tolerant #groundcovers that can be mowed #foot traffic tolerant #partial shade tolerant #pest resistant #walkway