White

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Softly luminous and unmistakably aromatic, White horehound forms a silvery, downy show of leaves that release a cool, herbal fragrance when brushed.

At maturity, the foliage is crisp-textured and pleasantly bitter, ideal for crafting distinctive horehound preparations and for steeping into aromatic infusions. Grow it for its bold, old-fashioned character—an easy, resilient herb that rewards the senses from the first sprig to the full, silvery canopy at about 60 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White horehound brings a clean, old-school bitterness with a cool herbal aroma that stands up to heat—perfect when you want the bitterness to stay front and center. It’s crisp enough for steeping and boiling, and honey or citrus is the bridge that keeps it drinkable and candy-worthy.

Best Uses

steeped bitter-herb infusion for warming drinks
horehound candy syrup base (boiled down until syrupy)
drying for herbal bitters and tea blends
chopped leaves folded into sharp, vinegar-forward sauces

Flavor Profile

cool, minty-aromatic bitterness crisp, slightly fuzzy leaf texture dry, herbal snap with a lingering sage-like finish

Kitchen Pairings

honey lemon zest ginger black tea apple cider vinegar dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Marrubium vulgare (white/marrubium), and how can I control it?

Marrubium vulgare is commonly bothered by aphids (often appearing on new growth and flower stems), which can weaken plants and leave sticky residue. Spray plants with a strong jet of water first, then repeat insecticidal soap every 5–7 days until aphid numbers drop; keep foliage dry and avoid overcrowding to reduce other stress-driven problems. If you see wilting or leaf spots spreading, remove badly affected leaves early and improve airflow around the clumps in full sun.

How often should I water Marrubium vulgare during its main growth phase?

During active growth, water when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out, then water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone. Aim for consistently moist-but-not-soggy conditions; Marrubium vulgare handles some drought once established, but prolonged wet soil encourages root and crown issues. In hot weather, this may mean about 1 inch of water per week depending on rainfall and your soil’s drainage.

How do I know when Marrubium vulgare is ready to harvest?

Harvest leaf and flowering tops around 60 days from sowing, typically once the plants have set buds and early flowers—this is when flavor and usable foliage are best. For repeat harvests, cut stems back by about one-third and harvest again after fresh growth forms. Avoid harvesting only after the plant is badly stressed or turning fully brown, since regrowth and quality drop.