Horehound Plant Care

Horehound (Prasium majus) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Prasium genus. Horehound is native to Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean region of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, as far east as Turkey, Cyprus, and Israel.

Horehound displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Horehound produces small tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Horehound every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Horehound thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Prasium majus tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Horehound prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Horehound to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Horehound every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Horehound is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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.

Horehound can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Horehound 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.

Horehound is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Horehound can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

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.

Horehound grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Horehound is native to Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean region of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, as far east as Turkey, Cyprus, and Israel. In cooler regions, grow Horehound as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.