White Horehound

White Horehound — variety description

White Horehound (Betonica officinalis) is a perennial herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). White Horehound is a small flowering plant that strongly resembles mint. The herb is extremely popular for coughs and sore throats.

White Horehound is recommended for respiratory diseases, jaundice, loss of appetite, and liver and gastrointestinal disorders.

2 tsp. of herb is steeped for 4 hours in 250 ml of cold water. It is strained and the amount is drunk in sips over 1 day. It can be sweetened.

Betony is a perennial herb with purple spikes – a honey plant and ornamental.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 70%
• Seeds per packet: 170–230 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March and April; transplants or direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow White Horehound

White Horehound seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow White Horehound

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.5 cm
• Spacing: 25–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Sow seeds from March to April indoors. Germination can be slow. Keep in cooler conditions after germination. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and plant them out. The plant prefers sun and dry, nutrient-poor soils. If the plant is cut back after flowering, it will usually give a second crop of leaves. The fresh leaves have a pronounced musk smell, but it is lost once the plant dries. White Horehound is a good companion to grow near tomatoes, so that they give a bigger harvest over a longer period.

Undemanding; tolerates partial shade.

Harvest and use

The above-ground part is harvested at flowering.

Frequently asked questions

When should White Horehound be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 170–230 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 70%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.