About
Marrubium vulgare, white horehound, is a slowly spreading, aromatic perennial to 50 cm with upright, woolly-white, square stems bearing rounded, grey-green leaves with scalloped edges and woolly undersides. Dense whorls of small, white flowers are borne along the stems in summer. An ornamental herb with a long history of medicinal use, excellent in a sunny, well-drained border.
About the genus
Marrubium, the horehounds, are aromatic, woolly perennials in the mint family (Lamiaceae) with upright, square stems, rounded, grey-green, scalloped leaves and whorls of small flowers. Grown in sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildflower meadow
Native toTemp. N Hemisphere
Care notes
CultivationThrives in poor, well-drained soil in full sun, protect from excess winter wet
PruningCut back spent flower stems if seed is not required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free