Marrubium vulgare

RHS Plant Profile
white horehound

Other common names

common horehound, hoarhound, horehound, hound's bane, marrube, marvel, maw-roll, llwyd y cŵn

Herbaceous Perennial

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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