Photo: Joss CarrCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Black Horehound Plant Care
Ballota nigra L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's dark green, wrinkled leaves give it a unique appearance that sets it apart from other plants. Originally from the Mediterranean region, Ballota nigra is highly sought after by plant collectors for its aromatic foliage and ability to attract bees and butterflies to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Black Horehound?
Water Black Horehound every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Black Horehound Native To?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uzbekistan
What Is the Black Horehound?
Black Horehound (Ballota nigra) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ballota genus. Black Horehound is native to Europe, the Mediterranean region and east to central Asia. Black Horehound is also known as Stinking Horehound, White Horehound.
Black Horehound displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Black Horehound produces small, tubular purple flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Black Horehound?
Ballota nigra requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Black Horehound Need?
Black Horehound thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Black Horehound Prefer?
Ballota nigra grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Black Horehound prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Black Horehound?
Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Black Horehound to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Black Horehound?
Feed Black Horehound every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Black Horehound?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Black Horehound?
Black Horehound can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cyprus horehound plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Black Horehound Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Black Horehound, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Black Horehound?
Black Horehound is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Black Horehound Need?
Black Horehound grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Black Horehound is native to Europe, the Mediterranean region and east to central Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Black Horehound is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ballota genus — compare its care with other Ballota species on PlantoScan.
Ballota is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Black Horehound thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ballota nigra L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 582 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Black Horehound, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Joss Carr, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Black Horehound Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species