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Water Horehound

Lycopus virginicus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Water Horehound (Lycopus virginicus)
Photo: Alex Abair / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Toxicity unknown

Water Horehound (Lycopus virginicus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Water Horehound as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Water horehound is a native perennial that thrives in moist to wet soils and partial sun conditions. This medium-sized plant produces small white flowers in late summer that attract various pollinators. It naturally spreads to form colonies in consistently moist areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Water Horehound takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Spreads aggressively and can look weedy
  • Requires consistently wet conditions that may appear messy
  • Dies back completely in winter leaving bare patches

Wildlife value

The summer blooms provide nectar for native bees and beneficial flies. Seeds may attract small birds in fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Water Horehound need?
Water Horehound grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Water Horehound bloom?
Water Horehound blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Water Horehound native?
Water Horehound (Lycopus virginicus) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Water Horehound toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Water Horehound as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Water Horehound attract?
Water Horehound draws bees and flies.
Is Water Horehound HOA-friendly?
Water Horehound takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Water Horehound? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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