The Dirt | Weed of the Month February 2026 | Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)

The Yellow Archangel is a problematic, adaptive weed with hairy, variegated leaves; management includes manual removal and herbicides.
Yellow archangel WOTM Flyer February 2026
The image features a close-up of yellow flowers with green foliage, showcasing intricate details of petals and structures.
Up close photo of the irregular flower structure. Photo credit: Gabriel E. Campbell.
A lush patch of green leaves with silver markings, surrounded by dried brown leaves, creating a vibrant forest floor scene.
Yellow archangel leaves. Photo credit: Gabriel E. Campbell.
The image shows a dense patch of green plants with yellow flowers, featuring variegated leaves with lighter green stripes.
Yellow archangel leaves and flowers. Photo credit: Gerald D. Carr.
The image features a close-up of yellow flowers with green foliage, showcasing intricate details of petals and structures.
A lush patch of green leaves with silver markings, surrounded by dried brown leaves, creating a vibrant forest floor scene.
The image shows a dense patch of green plants with yellow flowers, featuring variegated leaves with lighter green stripes.

Our February Weed of the Month is Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon). Yellow archangel is a perennial flower that exhibits lots of versatility in both habit and habitat. Its variegated silvery-grey leaves make it easy to identify early on in the growing season. It appears as vegetative ground cover around late January/February and bolts a flowering stem between April-June. The flowers are irregular tubular similar to our native monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus). However, it does not have the red dots on the inside of the tubular petals. The flowers grow both at the top of the stem and in the leaf axils (where the leaf stem meets the main stem).

Though visually interesting, yellow archangel is a notorious spreader that is difficult to control once established. It is a very adaptable species that alters its growth form depending on light conditions. For example, in forest understories or other areas with mottled shade, it tends to be low-growing and viny. In areas with more sun exposure, it tends to grow upright on short stalks in dense thickets. Regardless of growth habit or habitat, this species spreads vigorously and outcompetes other desirable vegetation. 

Managing yellow archangel can be difficult because it is capable of resprouting from stem fragments. This makes manual control challenging if not removing with caution. It is still best to dig up small infestations of the weed since it is shallowly rooted, but be sure to remove as much of the plant material as possible. This is a species that would be best to dispose of in the garbage opposed yard debris because of its readiness to resprout from fragments. For larger infestations (such as forest understories), chemical control is recommended. Consult with a licensed herbicide applicator for formulations that work best on this weed. Multiple treatments may be necessary depending on the size of infestation. Following any management with planting/seeding desirable species is recommended to reduce the amount of weed regrowth.

Keep reading

  1. OSU Solve Pest Problems - Yellow archangel
  2. King County Noxious Weed Control Program - Yellow archangel Factsheet
  3. PNW Weed Management Handbook - Yellow archangel