Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Horehound is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family that is tolerant of poor soil, drought, heat, and partial sunlight. Commonly grown in herb gardens, this plant grows up to 2 feet tall and has fuzzy grayish-green leaves with a wrinkled texture and produces small white flowers that can attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Horehound has a bitter minty flavor that is reminiscent of something between root beer and black licorice. This plant is most commonly used for its useful properties and can be used in tea blends or even homemade cough syrup!
NAME: Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare)
VARIETY: Horehound
DAYS TO MATURITY: 70 – 80 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 9
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Most soils with a pH 6.4 – 7.4
SPACING: 8 – 12 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 18 – 24 inches
TEMP: 50 – 85ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
While it’s possible to start Horehound seeds indoors, it’s generally not recommended due to their preference for direct sowing.
If you still choose to start seeds indoors, use cell trays or biodegradable pots filled with a well-draining seed starting mix.
Plant the seeds shallowly, about 1/4 inch deep.
Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a temperature of around 65-70°F (18-21°C) for optimal germination.
Place the pots in a location with plenty of sunlight or under grow lights.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed several sets of true leaves, being cautious not to disturb their delicate roots.
Start seeds outdoors once your last local spring frost has passed.
Sow 1 seed every 2 inches, in rows spaced 12 inches apart.
Press the seeds into the soil but do not cover since they need some light to germinate.
Keep the soil moist and don’t allow it to dry out during the germination process, which can take as long as 5 weeks.
Once the seedings emerge, thin out seedlings so they are spaced roughly 8 to 12 inches apart.
Horehound likes partial shade or full sun and average, well-draining, soils.
Add mulch around the plant to prevent weeds from creeping in and to retain soil moisture.
Once established, Horehound is relatively low maintenance.
Horehound is drought tolerant once established and does not typically require fertilization.
Harvest Horehound leaves and stems for medicinal or culinary use once the plants are well-established and have reached maturity, usually after about 90 days.
Cut the stems just above the soil level, leaving some foliage to encourage regrowth.
Dry harvested Horehound in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight until crisp.
Store dried leaves and stems in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for future use in teas, tinctures, or culinary recipes.
