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When to Plant Horehound in Miami County, IN

Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.

Miami County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 786 feet, Miami County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Miami County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Miami County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 27

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Horehound needs ~1,011 GDD — county provides 2,156 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Miami County, IN

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Sep 11

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

75โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Miami County

Direct sow or start from divisions. Thrives in poor, dry soil. Harvest stems just before flowering. Deadhead to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Very drought-tolerant once established.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Horehound in Miami County, IN?

Miami County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Miami County, IN?

Miami County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Miami County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Miami County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.