Henbane
Hyoscyamus niger
Henbane is a foul-smelling, sticky-haired herb of the nightshade family with funnel-shaped, purple-veined flowers, long associated with witchcraft and folklore.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low to moderate; well-drained soil
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is an annual or biennial herb in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to Eurasia and known for its rank odor and striking flowers.
It has a long, dark place in folklore and witchcraft, and its strong, unpleasant smell earns it names like 'stinking nightshade.' Today it persists as a weed of disturbed ground and is grown only by specialists or as a curiosity.
How to identify it
A coarse, clammy plant 30–80 cm tall, covered in sticky glandular hairs and giving off a rank smell.
- Leaves: large, coarsely toothed or lobed, grey-green, soft and sticky-hairy
- Flowers: funnel-shaped, dull yellowish with a striking network of purple veins and a dark purple throat
- Fruit: a pitcher-like capsule enclosed by the persistent calyx, full of small seeds
- Odor: strongly fetid, especially when bruised
Care & growing
Grown mainly by collectors and specialist gardeners.
- Light: full sun
- Water: moderate; tolerates dry, well-drained soils
- Soil: prefers light, sandy or calcareous, disturbed ground
- Temperature: hardy; annual and biennial forms exist
- Propagation: by seed, which can remain viable in soil for many years
Habitat & origin
Native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, henbane has naturalized in North America and other temperate regions. It favors disturbed, nutrient-rich, well-drained ground — old fields, roadsides, waste places, corrals and dumps.
Frequently asked questions
What does henbane smell like?
It has a strong, foul, sticky odor, which is why it is also called stinking nightshade or fetid nightshade.
How do I recognize henbane?
Look for a sticky, hairy, rank-smelling plant with coarsely toothed grey-green leaves and funnel-shaped pale-yellow flowers laced with purple veins.
Where does henbane grow?
It favors disturbed, well-drained ground such as old fields, roadsides, waste places and dumps across Europe, North Africa, western Asia and naturalized parts of North America.
Henbane guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Henbane.
Henbane identified by the community
Real specimens identified with Plant Identifier.
