Also known as Horehound · 78 gardener saves
Marrubium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Marrubium, the genus most gardeners know as horehound. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Marrubium varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedHorehound
Marrubium cylleneum
#2 most savedWhite Horehound
Marrubium candidissimum
#3 most savedHungarian Mallow
Marrubium supinum
How to grow Marrubium
What the Marrubium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Marrubium year
- PlantMarch and April67% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in very well-drained, poor soil.
- HarvestMay and June67% of varieties
Harvest leaves and flowering tops just before peak bloom for medicinal use.
- PruneJuly67% of varieties
Shear back after flowering to maintain a compact shape and fresh foliage.
- DivideMarch67% of varieties
Divide clumps in spring or fall to propagate or control spread.
Do
- Water sparingly once established 💧
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
- Apply organic mulch annually 🌱
- Use organic pest control if needed
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater or allow to sit in soggy soil ❌
- Use chemical pesticides indiscriminately
- Neglect pruning, which can lead to legginess
- Overwatering can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Marrubium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and browning roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Marrubium
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks.
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in late spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep humid for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Marrubium questions
How many types of Marrubium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Marrubium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 78 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Marrubium grow in?
Across its varieties, Marrubium covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Marrubium bloom?
Most Marrubium varieties bloom in early summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Marrubium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Marrubium shows up in
Design with Marrubium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
