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Ballota nigra (Black horehound)

Other names: Marrubium nigrum, Black angelica, Ballota foetida, Ballota sordida, Stachys ballota, Black hoarhound, False hoarhound, False horehound, Fetid horehound, Fetid hoarhound, Hairhound, Henbit, Horehound, Stinking horehound, Marddanhadlen ddu

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Species
B. nigra is an erect or spreading, semi-evergreen perennial with ovate to heart-shaped, rough, hairy, toothed, pungent, dark green leaves and whorls of tubular, two-lipped, purple to reddish-purple flowers from summer into autumn.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1 m 0.8 m 2-5 years
3 ft 2 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
  • Partial Shade
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Does not grow in acid soil in the wild will tolerate it in cultivation. Used in herbal medicine. Where native, grows at elevations from 0-1,300m (0-2,250'). Tolerates moderate drought once established. The entire plant has a strong, pungent order that is offensive to some.

Suggested uses

Bees (attract & feed bees), Wildlife, Cottage/Informal, Wildflower, Woodland

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Very Low
Central Valley = Very Low
South Coastal = Very Low
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Erect, Spreading

Native to

Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa, Mediterranean

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Little to no pruning required.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

Propagation

Tends to self-seed readily in ideal growing conditions.

Pests

Leafhoppers

Diseases

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Divide and replant in spring

Requires little or no pruning (winter)

Sow seed in situ

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (6)

Ballota

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Ballota acetabulosa
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Ballota acetabulosa Greek horehound
Ballota pseudodictamnus
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Ballota pseudodictamnus False dittany
Ballota pseudodictamnus 'Candia'
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Ballota pseudodictamnus 'Candia' False dittany 'Candia'
Ballota hirsuta
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Ballota hirsuta Greek horehound
Ballota pseudodictamnus from Crete
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Ballota pseudodictamnus from Crete False dittany from Crete
Ballota nigra
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Ballota nigra Black horehound
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Companion plants (18)

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Acanthus 'Colin's Folly'
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Acanthus 'Colin's Folly' Bear's breeches 'Colin's Folly'
Acanthus spinosus 'Lady Moore'
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Acanthus spinosus 'Lady Moore' Spiny bear's breeches 'Lady Moore'
Geranium platypetalum
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Geranium platypetalum Broad-petalled cranesbill
Acanthus 'Morning's Candle'
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Acanthus 'Morning's Candle' Bear's breeches 'Morning's Candle'
Geranium himalayense 'Derrick Cook'
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Geranium himalayense 'Derrick Cook' HImalayan crane's bill 'Derrick Cook'
Geranium platypetalum 'Turco'
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Geranium platypetalum 'Turco' Broad-petalled cranesbill 'Turco'
Geranium himalayense 'Irish Blue'
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Geranium himalayense 'Irish Blue' Himalayan crane's bill 'Irish Blue'
Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel'
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Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel' Bear's breeches 'Tasmanian Angel'
Acanthus 'Whitewater'
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Acanthus 'Whitewater' Bear's breeches 'Whitewater'
Geranium himalayense 'Baby Blue'
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Geranium himalayense 'Baby Blue' Himalayan crane's bill 'Baby Blue'
Acanthus mollis 'Hollard's Gold'
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Acanthus mollis 'Hollard's Gold' Bear's breeches 'Hollard's Gold'
Acanthus hungaricus
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Acanthus hungaricus Long-leaved bear's breeches
Geranium 'Sabani Blue'
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Geranium 'Sabani Blue' Cranesbill 'Sabani Blue'
Geranium x johnsonii 'Johnson's Blue'
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Geranium x johnsonii 'Johnson's Blue' Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'
Acanthus mollis
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Acanthus mollis Bear's breeches
Geranium himalayense 'Gravetye'
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Geranium himalayense 'Gravetye' Himalayan crane's bill 'Gravetye'
Centaurea scabiosa
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Centaurea scabiosa Greater knapweed
Acanthus spinosus
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Acanthus spinosus Spiny bear's breeches
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