Troubleshooting
Hound's-tongue problems — and how to fix them
Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Crown rot
Standing water or heavy clay soil rots the basal rosette over winter; ensure sharp drainage and avoid mulching close to the crown.
Failure to flower (etiolation)
Insufficient sunlight or over-fertile soil causes large, soft leaves but no flowering stem in the second year — move to a sunnier, poorer site.
Powdery mildew
Dense colonies in sheltered spots are prone to powdery mildew in late summer; improve air circulation and thin plantings.
Prevent hound's-tongue problems before they start
Most hound's-tongue issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Hound's-tongue problems — FAQ
Why is my hound's-tongue crown rot?
Standing water or heavy clay soil rots the basal rosette over winter; ensure sharp drainage and avoid mulching close to the crown.
Why is my hound's-tongue failure to flower (etiolation)?
Insufficient sunlight or over-fertile soil causes large, soft leaves but no flowering stem in the second year — move to a sunnier, poorer site.
Why is my hound's-tongue powdery mildew?
Dense colonies in sheltered spots are prone to powdery mildew in late summer; improve air circulation and thin plantings.