Rough Water Hoarhound Plant Care
Lycopus asper Greene
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lycopus asper is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name rough bugleweed. It is native to much of North America, where it can be found most often in moist areas, such as the soil near lakes.
Partial shade to full shade
At a glance
How do you care for Rough Water Hoarhound?
Plant Rough Water Hoarhound in partial shade to full shade.
Where Is the Rough Water Hoarhound Native To?
What Is the Rough Water Hoarhound?
Rough Water Hoarhound (Lycopus asper) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Lycopus genus. Rough Water Hoarhound is native to much of North America.
Rough Water Hoarhound displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Rough Water Hoarhound produces small white or pink flowers in dense clusters.
What Light Does the Rough Water Hoarhound Need?
Rough Water Hoarhound thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Rough Water Hoarhound in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rough Water Hoarhound?
Moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Rough Water Hoarhound to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Rough Water Hoarhound?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Rough Water Hoarhound?
Prune Rough Water Hoarhound while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Rough Water Hoarhound in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Rough Water Hoarhound?
Rough Water Hoarhound can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american water horehound plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Rough Water Hoarhound Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rough Water Hoarhound, 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 Rough Water Hoarhound?
Rough Water Hoarhound is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Rough Water Hoarhound 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 Lycopus genus — compare its care with other Lycopus species on PlantoScan.
Lycopus is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Rough Water Hoarhound copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lycopus asper Greene, family Lamiaceae (first published in Pittonia 3: 339 (1898)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rough Water Hoarhound, 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.
- 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.
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