Horehound is a plant that belongs to the mint family. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. The plant has white or light-colored flowers and small, dark-colored fruits.
The leaves of the plant are used to make medicine. Horehound is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa but has been naturalized in North America.
Dionysia, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Horehound has been used medicinally since ancient times, and was even mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text from 1550 BC.
It was traditionally used to treat coughs and colds, and is still sometimes used for this purpose today. Horehound candy is also popular, particularly in the United Kingdom.
This candy is made by boiling down the horehound leaves to create a syrup, which is then hardened into lozenges or boiled down further to create a hard candy.
Horehound is occasionally regarded as a weed as it can be irritating to grazing farm animals. However, the principle of permaculture believes in letting naturally occurring plants native to the location grow on the land.
Horehound Essentials
Are there fruits of Horehound?
Yes, the plant does produce fruits. These fruits are small and dark-colored. They are not typically eaten raw but are often used in medicines and as a flavoring agent in food.
Benefits of Horehound
Horehound is an herb that has a long history of use for a variety of conditions. The Benefits of horehound include:
▪️ Reducing coughing and other respiratory ailments
▪️ Soothing indigestion and other stomach issues
▪️ Easing menstrual cramps and other menstrual symptoms
▪️ Reducing inflammation
▪️ Boosting the immune system
Horehound is generally well tolerated, though some people may experience side effects such as nausea or vomiting.
If you are considering taking horehound, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider first to ensure it is safe for you.
Best planting time for Horehound
The best time to plant horehound plant is in the spring, after the last frost. This extends the growing season and gives the plant a chance to establish itself before winter. Horehound prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil.
It is also drought-tolerant and can handle poorer-quality soils. When planting, space horehound 18-24 inches apart. Horehound will spread over time, so it’s best to give it room to grow.
Plants can be started from seed, or transplanted from an existing bed. If starting from seed, sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
Transplant young plants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Horehound is an easy plant to care for and requires little maintenance.
Once established, it will flower and produce seeds on its own.
Are there flowers in Horehound?
Yes, there are flowers in Horehound. The plant produces small, white flowers that bloom in the summer.
Caring for Horehound
Horehound is a drought-tolerant plant that is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. The plant has been used medicinally for centuries and is still used today to make tea and extract.
Caring for a horehound plant is relatively easy, and the plant can be grown in most climates.
Here are some tips for caring for horehound plant:
▪️Horehound prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
▪️The plant is drought-tolerant but does not tolerate wet conditions.
▪️Horehound can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings.
▪️To harvest the leaves, cut the stems just below the leaf nodes.
▪️Dry the leaves for use in teas or extracts.
Franco Folini from San Francisco, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Companion plants for Horehound
Companion plants for horehound include garlic, sage, and onion. These plants share common growing conditions and soil preferences with horehound and can help to improve its growth.
Companion planting can also help to deter pests and diseases, making it an essential part of any organic gardening program.
In addition to the plants mentioned above, horehound also grows well with rosemary, thyme, and lavender.
By including these plants in your garden, you can create a healthy and thriving environment for all of your plants.
Growing Horehound in containers and pots
Growing horehound in containers and pots is an easy and efficient way to add this versatile herb to your home garden. Here are some tips to get you started:
▪️ Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and has drainage holes.
▪️ Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix.
▪️ Plant horehound seeds or seedlings in the pot, spacing them 8 to 10 inches apart.
▪️ Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
▪️ Apply a balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season.
▪️ Once the plants are established, cut them back regularly to encourage new growth.
How long to grow Horehound?
The answer really depends on what you want to use the horehound for.
If you are growing it for its medicinal properties, then you will want to allow the plant to mature for at least two years.
If you are growing it for its culinary uses, then it can be harvested after one year. Either way, a horehound is a slow-growing plant, so patience is key.
How many days does a horehound plant take to mature?
Horehound takes 50-60 days to mature. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
To harvest, cut the stem close to the ground when the plant is in bloom. The leaves can be used fresh or dried.
How to make horehound candy?
Horehound candy is a type of old-fashioned hard candy that has a strong, bitter flavor. It is made by boiling horehound leaves in sugar water and then cooling and cutting the mixture into small pieces.
Horehound candy is said to have many medicinal benefits, including relieving coughs and sore throats. Making horehound candy at home is a simple process that requires only a few ingredients and a little time.
Here’s how to do it:
▪️ Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pot. Add 1/4 cup of horehound leaves and let them steep for 10 minutes.
▪️ Remove the pot from the heat and strain the horehound leaves from the water. Add 1 cup of sugar to the horehound infusion and stir until it dissolves.
▪️ Return the pot to the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook it until it reaches 240 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.
▪️ Remove the pot from the heat and pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Let it cool completely, then cut it into small squares or rectangles.
How to prepare horehound tea?
Horehound tea is made by simmering horehound leaves in water for 10-15 minutes. The leaves can be fresh or dried, and they can be purchased at most health food stores.
To make the tea more palatable, Honey and lemon can be added to the taste. Horehound tea has a bitter, minty flavor and is traditionally used to ease coughs and colds.
It is also thought to aid digestion and relieve indigestion. Horehound tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, and it is best consumed fresh.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
How to use horehound?
▪️Pick the leaves off the horehound plant.
▪️Place the leaves in a pot of boiling water.
▪️Let the leaves steep for 10-15 minutes.
▪️Drink the tea up to three times a day.
Irritation to pets from Horehound
Irritation with pets from Horehound can take many forms. The most common form is skin irritation, which can cause redness, swelling, and itchiness.
In severe cases, pets may also experience difficulty breathing or an inability to swallow. If your pet ingests Horehound, it may vomit or experience diarrhea.
If you suspect that your pet has come into contact with Horehound, it is important to seek professional medical help immediately. Irritation from Horehound can be painful and potentially dangerous for pets, so it should not be taken lightly.
Pests and diseases in Horehound
Pests and diseases are a major problem for horehound growers. Pests include aphids, caterpillars, earwigs, slugs, and whiteflies. Diseases include powdery mildew, rust, and verticillium wilt.
How can you stop pests and diseases in Horehound?
To control pests and diseases, horehound growers need to use a combination of cultural, chemical, and biological control methods.
Cultural control methods include crop rotation, avoiding planting in infested areas, and removing affected plants.
Chemical control methods include using insecticides and fungicides. Biological control methods include releasing predators and parasites into the field.
Pest and disease management is a complex and ongoing process, but it is essential for horehound growers to produce a high-quality crop.
Planting and spacing for Horehound
Plant 12-18 inches apart, in full sun to part shade.
If transplanting, dig a hole twice the width of the pot. Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Fill in around the plant with soil, tamping gently as you go. Water deeply and apply a 2-inch layer of mulch, keeping it several inches away from the stem. space plants 12-18 inches apart.
Plant in full sun to part shade. If transplanting, dig a hole twice the width of the pot. Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Fill in around the plant with soil, tamping gently as you go. Water deeply and apply a 2-inch layer of mulch, keeping it several inches away from the stem.
Propagation of Horehound
Propagation of horehound can be done by seed, cuttings, or division.
▪️ Seeds should be sown in early spring or fall.
▪️ To take cuttings, cut 4-6 inch stem tips that have not flowered. Strip the leaves off the bottom half of the cutting and stick it in moistened potting soil.
▪️ Propagating by division can be done in early spring.
Dig up the root ball and divide it into 2-3 sections. replant each section immediately. Water well and mulch to keep the roots moist.
Soil composition and ph levels for Horehound
Horehound prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, and it prefers well-drained soil. The ideal soil composition for horehound is sandy loam with a pH of 5-7.
Horehound is not tolerant of wet or boggy conditions. If the soil is too rich, the plant will be lush and green but will produce fewer flowers.
Soil that is too sandy will cause the plants to be drought-stressed and produces fewer flowers as well.
Plants grown in clay soil may be stunted due to poor drainage.
Varieties of Horehound
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a perennial herb in the mint family, native to Europe and North Africa. It is a hairy, erect plant that grows to 30–60 cm tall.
The leaves are 2.5–5 cm long, with a wrinkled surface and toothed margins. The flowers are white or pale pink, borne in clusters.
There are several varieties of horehound, including:
▪️ White horehound (Marrubium vulgare), which is the most common variety
▪️ Black horehound (Ballota nigra), which has dark-colored leaves and blooms
▪️ Woolly horehound (Marrubium incanum), which is covered in soft hairs
▪️ Egyptian horehound (Trachymene dichotoma), which is native to North Africa.
Watering Horehound
Watering horehound is an important part of caring for this plant. Horehound prefers well-drained soil and does not like to sit in wet soil.
Water horehound deeply and then allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before watering again.
Water horehound every 7-10 days during the growing season. Be sure to reduce watering during the winter months when the plant is dormant. too much water can cause root rot.
Mulching horehound will help to retain moisture in the soil and keep the roots cool.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant, being careful not to mound the mulch up against the stem.
Best time to harvest horehound
The best time to harvest horehound is in the early morning, before the temperatures start to rise. Cut the stems close to the ground, and then remove the leaves from the stems.
The leaves can be used fresh or dried for later use. Horehound can also be harvested in the late summer or early fall, after the plant has flowered. Cut the stems close to the ground and remove the leaves.
The leaves can be used fresh or dried for later use.
Which regions of USA does horehound grow best?
Horehound is a hardy herb that grows best in regions with hot, dry summers and cold winters. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, but it can also be found in parts of the United States.
Horehound prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions. Horehounds can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings.
In the United States, horehound is most commonly found in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain region.
TLDR;
Click to Print
| Horehound | |
| Water | Less water is ok |
| Soil ph | 5.00 |
| Sunlight hours | Indrecti sun of 5-6 hours per day |
| Pests and Diseases | Mealy bugs, root rot, powdery mildew, spider mites |
| Temperature | 68-80 deg F |
| Soil composition | Well drained, loose alkaline soil |
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