Ballota hirsuta - How to grow & care

Ballota hirsuta grow and care – shrub‎ of the genus Ballota also known as Greek Horehound, Ballota hirsuta perennial evergreen or can grow as annual used as ornamental drought tolerant plant, can grow in mediterranean, temperate, desert or subtropics climate and growing in hardiness zone 7-10 as perennial 5-7 as annual.

Ballota hirsuta Plants, Seeds & Supplies for Sale

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Leaves color green in in round to heart shape with wavy margin, the leaves hairy.

Ballota hirsuta flowers

Flower color purple, the flower small in mouth shape and grow on stem in inflorescence.

Ballota hirsuta for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy

How to grow Ballota hirsuta growing and care:

Well-drained soil

What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative reproduction

Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
No

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Invasive

Planting season:
Spring / Autumn

Pests and diseases:
Aphids

Pruning season:
All year

How to prune:
Just for design and dead flower stems

Size of the plant?
30-50 cm, 12-20 inches

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Medium growing

Water requirement:
Small amount of water / Average amount of water

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun

Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
No

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes

Blooming information

Bloom season:
Spring / Summer

General information about the flower
Small purple flowers, mouth shape and grow on stem in inflorescence.

Scientific name:

Ballota hirsuta

Categories

Blooming Seasons	Spring flowers Summer flowers
Flower colors	Purple flower
Climate	Desert Climate Mediterranean Climate Subtropics Climate Temperate Climate
Ornamental parts	Ornamental flower Ornamental leaves Ornamental plant
Plant growing speed	Average growing plants
Plant life-form	Annual plant Evergreen Perennial plant Shrub
Plant Uses	Ornamental plants
Planting Season	Autumn Planting Spring Planting
Plants sun exposure	Full sun Plants
Watering plants	Regularly water Small amounts of water
Hardiness zone	Hardiness zone 10 Hardiness zone 5 Hardiness zone 6 Hardiness zone 7 Hardiness zone 8 Hardiness zone 9

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

Ballota hirsuta is a silvery, aromatic Mediterranean sub-shrub, and the grower does not list it as a houseplant – it wants full sun and dry, sharp conditions that a room cannot give. In a container on a hot, sunny patio, though, its felted grey foliage thrives with very little care.

Quick Details

Container Size: A modest pot (about 5-10 L / 1.3-2.6 gal) with sharp drainage

Indoor Suitability: Not a true houseplant; only a very sunny, airy windowsill could suit its need for strong light and dry air

Best Spot: Full sun – the hotter and brighter, the better

Soil & Drainage: Gritty, free-draining mix; it hates wet feet

Watering in Pots: Sparing – let it dry well between waterings; it is drought-tolerant once established

Indoors & On the Windowsill

Not a houseplant: The grower marks it unsuitable indoors. It needs full sun and dry, airy conditions, so a room’s low light and still air do not suit it.

Sunniest sill only: If grown inside at all, only the brightest, sunniest windowsill with good airflow will do, kept on the dry side.

On a Balcony or Patio

A sun-lover’s pot: A hot, reflective balcony is ideal – it revels in the heat that bakes other plants; give it the sunniest, most open spot.

Keep it dry: Sharp drainage is everything; water sparingly and never leave it standing in runoff.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

Pot & drainage: Terracotta is ideal – it breathes and dries fast; strong drainage holes and no saucer to keep roots dry.

Potting mix: Gritty and free-draining – add plenty of grit or perlite to a lean potting mix.

Feeding: Very little needed; a light annual feed is plenty – rich soil makes it soft and floppy.

Repotting: Pot on only every few years, trimming to keep it compact when you refresh the mix.

Bloom & Flower Guide

Quick Details

Bloom Season: Spring into summer

Flower Appearance: Small two-lipped (“mouth”) purple flowers carried in whorls along the upright stems

Edibility: Ornamental — grown for its foliage and flowers, which are not eaten

Detailed Blooming Overview

Ballota hirsuta is a drought-tolerant, hairy-leaved shrublet in the mint family, grown chiefly for its soft grey-green foliage. From spring into summer it produces tiers of small two-lipped purple flowers in whorls up the stems, a modest but pretty display that bees enjoy.

Flower Characteristics

Small two-lipped purple flowers.

Borne in whorls (verticillasters) up the stems among hairy foliage.

Bloom Care & Thinning

Site for best bloom: Full sun and sharp drainage; lean, dry conditions bring the best foliage and flowering.

After flowering: A light trim once the whorls fade keeps the plant compact.

Pollination: A good bee plant in flower.