Is Hound's Tongue edible?

Yes — Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is catalogued as edible in this database. Always confirm species ID before harvest and source from clean ground.

How should Hound's Tongue be stored?

Dried Hound's Tongue keeps 12–18 months in an airtight glass jar away from direct sunlight and moisture. Volatile-oil constituents degrade faster — buy in small quantities and use within 6 months of opening for peak potency. Refrigerate tinctures once opened.

PlantSage.eu

ENRO

IIIFolio · plant profile№ 2E82edible

Data provenancePermapeopleTrefleWikipedia PFAF POWOreviewed 7 Jul 2026methodology → read

Home/Plants/Boraginaceae

Hound's Tongue

Cynoglossum officinalefam. Boraginaceae

Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →

edible biennial, perennialherbperennialedible leafmedicinaledible

Updated7 July 2026·Quick Q&A →

Cynoglossum officinale (Hound's Tongue) — botanical photograph

Pl. 2E82 — Cynoglossum officinale

Cynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinaleCynoglossum officinale

Overview

Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is a biennial or perennial forb that thrives in moist, light to medium soils with a pH of 7–7.5. Native to regions such as Albania, Austria, Belarus, and Bulgaria, it has spread across Europe and into parts of Asia. This plant reaches heights of about 0.8 meters and is known for its edible leaves, making it a valuable addition to some culinary practices. Its distinctive feature lies in the shape of its basal leaves, which resemble dog tongues—hence its common name. While not commonly cultivated, Hound's Tongue can be found growing wild in various habitats across its native range.

Quick answers

What is Hound's Tongue?

Full Q&A reference →

Compare with:Borojo→Caucasian spinach→Pacific Hound's Tongue→all comparisons →

Growingconditions · propagation · uses

Cultivation

Hound's Tongue thrives in light to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils that are sandy or medium-textured with a pH of 7-7.5. It is hardy in temperate regions, typically zones 5-9, making it suitable for gardens across many European climates. This biennial or perennial herb grows up to 0.8 meters tall and can be propagated by seed or division. Its edible leaves are best harvested early in the season.

Light

7/10

Water

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy), Medium

Hardiness

5-9

Life cycle

Biennial, Perennial

Habit

Forb/herb

Mature size

0.8 m tall

Soil pH

7–7.5

Seasonal calendar

Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September

winterspringsummerautumnwinter

BloomJFMAMJJASOND

For first-time growers

How to grow Hound's Tongue for the first time

8steps

Start with Hound's Tongue as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.

1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a trowel, and a watering can.
2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall for better establishment.
3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is well-draining with a pH of 7-7.5, and prepare containers at least 30 cm deep.
4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows 45 cm apart, or transplant young plants into prepared soil.
5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering during dry spells and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves in early spring to encourage new growth, but avoid cutting back flowering stems.
8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to mulch, and not providing enough light.

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves

Edible uses: The leaves of Hound's Tongue are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. Typically, they are prepared in salads or as a vegetable side dish. They thrive in light (sandy) to medium soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, making them suitable for gardens with similar conditions.

Other uses:Fragrance

Contextrange · companions · related

VII

Distribution

30 native · 0 introduced

Distribution across2 continents· 30 native

Europe17 regions

native (17)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFranceGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsPolandRomaniaRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom

Asia2 regions

native (2)IranKazakhstan

Broader regions

native:Irkutsk, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, Altay, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk

Specimen gallery

1 image

Explore further

Companion planting

Hound's Tongue companions →

Compare with similar plants

vs Borojo vs Caucasian spinach vs Pacific Hound's Tongue

Growing zone

USDA zone 5-9

XII

About this entry

Last updated: 7 July 2026
Citation: How to cite this entry · Submit a correction

Back to the cataloguePlant id · 2e825009-29a2-4eed-99f5-76fc44e6be94

Decision aid

Choosing between Hound's Tongue and something else?

Compare with another plant

❦❦❦❦

Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

🌱My garden

Hound's Tongue

Overview

What is Hound's Tongue?

Cultivation

How to grow Hound's Tongue for the first time

What you'll need

Best time to plant

Soil and container prep

Sowing or transplanting

First two weeks

Ongoing care

Harvest or pruning

Common mistakes