Agastache Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Agastache plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Hyssop, Mosquito Plants, & Hummingbird Mint: Cultivation & Garden Use

The common names for the Hardy perennial Agastache include Hyssop Mosquito plant, and Hummingbird mints.

Plants typically bloom in the Summer with spiked flowers.

Agastache plant

Description of Hyssop

Agastache are large plants that can grow between 60 and 180 cm (2 to 6 feet) in height.

Hyssop may have spikes of blue, green or purple flowers. These plants are beautiful as part of a wild-flower garden.

Agastache Apricot sprite photograph by Anniesannuals.

Agastache Plant Species

Agastache foeniculum

Known as Anise Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum is a perennial plant that can reach a height of 48 inches (1.2 m). Its unique features include vibrant purple-blue flowers, licorice-scented leaves, and square stems.

It is grown in gardens for its attractive flowers and aromatic leaves. The plant thrives in a location with full sun, and a well-drained soil. It is often used in borders, herb gardens, or as a part of pollinator-friendly plantings as it is very attractive to bees and butterflies.

Agastache rugosa

Agastache rugosa, commonly referred to as Korean Mint, is a perennial plant that reaches up about 36 inches (90 cm). Plant's stand out for their stiff, square stems, toothed leaves, and whorls of violet-blue flowers.

In the garden, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It's often cultivated for borders or herb gardens, and used for its beautiful flowers and aromatic foliage. As it attracts pollinators it can greatly enhance a garden's biodiversity.

Agastache mexicana

Also known as Mexican Hyssop, the Agastache mexicana plant is a herbaceous perennial. It can grow up to 36 inches (90 cm) in height. This plant features aromatic foliage, and tubular, red to pink flowers.

Grow in an area with full sun and well-drained soil. It is a good choice for borders, rock gardens, or containers. It not only adds color and fragrance to the garden, but also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Agastache aurantiaca

Agastache aurantiaca is commonly called the Orange Hummingbird Mint. It is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 30 inches (75 cm). It is known for its lance-shaped leaves and spikes of tubular, orange flowers.

This plant is best grown in full sun, in well-drained soils. It is perfect for growing in borders and beds. As the common name suggests, it makes a great choice for attracting hummingbirds to your garden.

Agastache cana (Hummingbird Mint, Mosquito Plant)

The Agastache cana is a perennial herb is able to reach up to 36 inches (91 cm) tall. It is commonly known as Mosquito Plant or Hummingbird Mint. This Agastache plant is recognized by its grey-green leaves, square stems, and spikes of pink to rose-purple flowers.

In a garden setting, it enjoys full sun, and requires a dry to medium moistured, well-drained soil. It can be perfect for herb gardens or borders. The plant gets its common name from the fragrance emmited frpm its leaves. This scent repels mosquitoes, thus making it an attractive choice for pest control in gardens.

How to Grow Giant Hyssop, Mosquito Plant and other Agastache

It is best to sow Hyssop and Mosquito plant seeds just below the soil surface, with a spacing of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches), in the autumn.

Agastache prefers lightly shaded or preferably full sunlight conditions.

The soil should not be rich if you want good blooms. It should be well drained.

Seeds require between 30 and 90 days to germinate.

When starting off indoors it is best to sow them seven to eight weeks before planting outside, at a temperature of 13 degrees centigrade.

Caring for Agastache in the Garden

Agastache Care: They should be fed with fertiliser once a year in the spring. Agastache plants generally take two years to come into bloom after initial planting

Replace after two years of flowering for best results.

Agastache Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Giant hyssop, Hummingbird Mint, Mosquito plant, Texas Hummingbird Mint, Anise Agastache, Licorice Mint.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 8 to 120 inches (20—300 cm).
Native: North America, East Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 10.
Flowers: Summer. Spikes usually remain throughout the growing season; up to late autumn.
Flower Details: White, blue, purple, pink, red, green. Fragrant and Nectar-rich. Spikes. Tubular. Two lipped. Developing from the tip of the stem.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Lance-shaped. Up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, and as wide as four and a quarter inches (11 cm). Dull green. Heavily veined. The oft grown Golden Jubilee cultivar has yellow leaves.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Autumn.
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to three months. Late winter. Transplant outdoors once temperatures reach 55°F (13°C). Space at 12 inches (30 cm).
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Average soil (plants will thrive in a rich soil but the blooms will be disappointing). Provide a spring feed. Takes two years to bloom.
Replace plants after two years of blooming. As a mountain species, plants are often drought and cold tolerant, so only water when they are becoming established. Cut back plants that bloomed the previous year in the middle of spring.
Deadhead to keep tidy. Propagate: Self seeds readily, though cultivars may not stay true. Winter sow/harden outdoors from packaged seeds for best results. Cuttings can be taken from plants in spring or autumn from basal growth.
Family: Lamiaceae
Closely Related Species: Bugle burgundy glow; Irish Bells; Sage; Catnip; and Garden Plants.
Miscellaneous: The word Agastache is Greek and means ‘Many Spikes’. Tips from the leaves are often used to make teas. Attracts, bees, butterflies, and humming birds to the garden. Fairly resistant to deer and rabbits. Use as a companion plant for Brassica as cabbage moths love Agastache.

Common Questions

How many members does the Agastache genus have?

The Agastache genus contains about 22 species.

Do members of Agastache make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Agastache, known as Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, is a popular choice for borders and attracts pollinators.

Which Agastache species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) and Agastache rugosa (Korean Mint) are frequently grown.

Are members of the Agastache fragrant?

Yes, Agastache plants are known for their fragrant foliage and flowers, often with a scent of mint or licorice.

What is the perfect location to grow Agastache?

Agastache prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established.

Is Agastache invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Agastache is not generally considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Agastache from my garden?

To remove Agastache, simply dig up the plant, ensuring to remove all roots to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Agastache genus, known as Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint, contains perennial plants with aromatic foliage and tubular flowers. Native to North and Central America, Agastache plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sun exposure. They are drought-tolerant and withstand hot and dry conditions. Regular watering, especially during the first growing season, is necessary. Propagation can be done through seeds or division. Agastache species are used in herb and pollinator gardens and as border plants, attracting beneficial insects.

Agastache plants offer visual appeal, aromatic foliage, and attract pollinators. The vibrant tubular flowers act as magnets for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making Agastache an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly gardens. Their ability to thrive in challenging conditions and their ornamental value make Agastache species a favorite among gardeners seeking visually stunning and ecologically beneficial spaces.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on Agastache. You may also enjoy the following garden growing guides: How to grow Perilla and Melissa plants.

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