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Herbaceous Perennial

Marrubium vulgare

white horehound

A slowly spreading perennial to around 50cm high, with upright, square, woolly white stems bearing rounded, grey-green leaves with scalloped edges and woolly undersides. Small white flowers are borne in dense whorls around the stems in summer

Other common names
common horehound
hoarhound
see morehorehound
hound's bane
marrube
marvel
maw-roll

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer White Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

A genus of herbaceous flowering plants, closely related to mint, with aromatic, oval-shaped, grey-green, hairy wrinkled foliage and white flowers which appear on the upper part of the stem

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Temp. N Hemisphere

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in poor, well-drained soil in full sun, protect from excess winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems if seed is not required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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