Agastache

( AG - uh - stash )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes herbaceous perennial flowers also known as Hummingbird Mints or Giant Hyssops. These are dependable garden ornamentals, and bloom during the summer and fall. Hummingbird Mints are famous for their fragrant foliage and flowers that bloom in shades of pink, apricot, coral, yellow, white, purple, blue, red or orange. These flowers make great drought-tolerant additions to borders, and will rebloom in the same year if deadheaded. The flowers will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden. The foliage is edible and can be used to make teas, jams, potpourris, or for flavoring culinary dishes. Agastache flowers are beautiful in fresh arrangements.

Agastache Species and Varietals

The genus Agastache includes 22 species of flowering plants, and is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek words for 'very much' and 'ear of grain', and the genus was first established by botanist Jan Frederik Gronovius. The best growing zones for Agastache depend on the species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. There are two sections within the genus Agastache: Typical Giant Hyssops (Agastache) and Hummingbird Mints (Brittonastrum).

Agastache sect. Agastache (Typical Giant Hyssops)

These species are native to western to central North America, across the Bering Strait to eastern areas of Asia. The upper lip of the corolla on these plants is small, causing the stamens to protrude more dramatically.

Agastache cusickii (Cusick's Giant Hyssop, Cusick's Horsemint, Nettleleaf Horsemint)
This low-growing species is native to the northwestern United States from Oregon and central Nevada to Idaho and Montana, where it grows in alpine and sagebrush ecosystems. These plants form a taproot and have white flowers with purple-pink tips. At maturity, Cusick's Giant Hyssop reaches 4-8 inches tall, making it perfect for small spaces or containers.

Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop, Fragrant Hyssop, Lavender Hyssop, Blue Giant Hyssop)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset zones A3 and 1-24 and is native to north to central North America. This is an erect and narrow plant, reaching 3-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Lilac-blue flowers appear in clusters, and leaves are licorice-scented. Great for borders and herb gardens, and can tolerate winter cold and wet better than other species in the genus.

Agastache nepetoides (Yellow Giant Hyssop)
This species is native to the central and eastern United States and Canada. Flowers are green-yellow, and bloom in densely-packed spikes that reach 4-16 inches in height. Only a few flowers on each spike are in bloom simultaneously. Yellow Giant Hyssop does well in USDA hardiness zones 2-9.

Agastache occidentalis (Western Giant Hyssop, Giant Horsemint)
This species is native to seasonably wet areas in the Cascade Mountain Ranges in Oregon and Washington. Spring to early summertime flowers are light purple to purple, and the plant reaches 3 feet tall at maturity. This species was first described by Charles Vancouver Piper, and was given its current name by Amos Arthur Heller.

Agastache parviflora (Small-Leaf Giant Hyssop)
This species is endemic to northern California, where it is at home in wild woodland areas. This species is somewhat uncommonly seen, and is, by some authorities, included under the species as Agastache urticifolia. Flowers have tubular pink corollas and pink-tipped green sepals. Individual plants reach about 2 feet tall.

Agastache rugosa (Korean Hummingbird Mint, Wrinkled Giant Hyssop, Indian Mint, Chinese Patchouli, Blue Licorice)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-10 or Sunset zones 4-24 and reaches to 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide at maturity. These plants are native to Korea and produce purple-tinted green foliage is licorice-scented. Varieties include 'Golden Jubilee' (2-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide with yellow-green new growth), and 'Honey Bee Blue'.

Agastache scrophulariifolia (Purple Giant Hyssop, Figwort Giant Hyssop)
This perennial plant grows naturally throughout the United States and Ontario, Canada. This plant is very beneficial to wild pollinators, and produces a spiked inflorescence of purple blooms that do not open simultaneously. Individual plants commonly reach between 2 and 6 feet tall; rich, moist soils will encourage a taller habit.

Agastache urticifolia (Nettleleaf Giant Hyssop, Horse Mint, Nettleleaf Horsemint)
This species is native to British Columbia down through California and Colorado, and can grow in many types of wild habitats. These plants were and still are used medicinally by many Native American groups. Flowers are pink-purple and bloom on spikes that rise above the foliage. Individual plants reach 3-5 feet tall.

Agastache sect. Brittonastrum (Hummingbird Mints)

This section of the Agastache genus includes species native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Flowers on these species have a larger, more developed upper lip, and stamens are generally hidden from view.

Agastache aurantiaca (Orange Hummingbird Mint, Golden Hyssop)
This species of Agastache is native to Northern Mexico, and can be grown as an annual in cold or particularly wet regions. Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset zones 3-24. Individual plants reach up to 2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide at maturity and produce pink flowers that age to orange. Variety 'Coronado' (pictured) has yellow blooms with an orange tint and 'Orange Sprite' is a popular dwarf cultivar that does well in containers.

Agastache barberi (Mexican Hyssop)
Hailing from the southwestern United States, this species does best in USDA hardiness zones 6-11 or Sunset zones 2-24, and grows to 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide at maturity. Flowers are red-purple. A popularly-cultivated garden hybrid variety of this species is 'Tutti Frutti'.

Agastache breviflora (Trans-Pecos Giant Hyssop)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset zones 6-24. Native to Mexico, New Mexico, and Arizona, these low-growing plants reach just 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, making them perfect for cramped spaces or container cultivation. Spikes of reddish purple blossoms bloom in spring and summertime.

Agastache cana (Texas Hummingbird Mint, Mosquito Plant, Double Bubble Mint, Bubblegum Mint)
This plant grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset zones 2-24, and is native to Texas and New Mexico. Grows to 2-3 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide at maturity when in bloom. Heavy reddish pink fragrant spikes of flowers smell of bubblegum. Varieties include 'Heather Queen' and compact-grower 'Purple Pygmy' (to just 16 inches tall).

Agastache spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Agastache)
These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5-10 or Sunset zones 4-24, and are very popular choices for bringing in pollinators to garden spaces. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Apricot Sunrise'
Grows best in zones 2b-24. Gets to 3 feet tall and wide. Flowers are deep orange and fade to apricot when they bloom.

'Black Adder'
To 2-3 feet tall and 18-24 in. wide, with blue-green foliage and purple to periwinkle blooms.

'Blue Boa'
With large, deep purple-blue flowers. Cold-hardy.

'Blue Fortune'
This 3 feet tall, 1.5 feet wide plant has powder-blue spikes of flowers.

'Cotton Candy'
Gets to 2 feet tall and wide, with spikes of pink flowers.

'Firebird'
2-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Flowers are copper-orange, coral-pink and red.

'Golden Jubilee'
Golden-chartreuse foliage and lavender-blue flowers.

'Raspberry Summer'
This plant grows to 2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with large spikes of dark pink flowers.

'Summer Breeze'
Grows best in zones 6-24, to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Flowers are large and lavender pink, leaves are grey-green.

'Summer Glow'
Gets to 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide with pale yellow flowers.

'Summer Love'
This plant grows to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, and has large rosey-purple flowers.

'Summer Sky'
This compact grower gets 2 feet tall and wide, and has deep violet-blue flowers.

'Tangerine Dreams'
Grows best in zones 6-24, and forms a 2 foot wide clump. Flowers are orange, and sit atop 2-3 foot stems.

'Tutti Fruitti'
This variety grows best in zones 2b-24 and gets 3-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. Blooms are purple-red and leaves are greyish-green.

Agastache mexicana (Giant Mexican Lemon Hyssop, Toronjil Morado)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset zones 3-24 and is native to Mexico. Individual plants reach up to 2-3 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Pink flowers bloom profusely from spring to late fall. Leaves are lemon-scented, and can be used in teas or as seasoning. The Acapulco series of varietals have flowers that are salmon-pink, rose-pink and orange. Variety 'Fortune' has red flowers and 'Sangria' has reddish-purple flowers.

Agastache pallidiflora (New Mexico Giant Hyssop, Bill Williams Mountain Giant Hyssop, Mountain Giant Hyssop)
This species reaches four feet tall, and has white to purple flowers that bloom in July through October. It is best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Leaves are semi-evergreen. This species favors moist canyon environments. Subspecies include Agastache pallidflora pallidiflora and Agastache pallidiflora neomexicana. A popularly grown ornamental cultivar is 'Rose Mint'.

Agastache rupestris (Licorice Mint, Sunset Hyssop, Threadleaf Giant Hyssop, Licorice Mint Hyssop)
This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 4-10 or Sunset zones 1-24. They are native to southern Arizona and northern Mexico, and individual plants reach 1.5-2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide with grey-green leaves and spikes of orange flowers with lavender calyces.

Agastache wrightii (Sonoran Giant Hyssop)
This species of Hummingbird Mint is is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and the Sierra Madre Occidental between Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico. This species reaches up to 6 feet tall and has blue flowers. Sonoran Giant Hyssop grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b.

Caring for Agastache

Agastache can be grown from seed (either direct-sown in the garden or started indoors) or purchased as starts from a reputable nursery. To avoid shocking your plant, introduce it to the landscape in the cooler months of spring or fall. Plant in full sun; ideally, they like to get between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day. If grown in too much shade, plants tend to get leggy, not bloom as well, and produce drooping flower spikes. Ensure that soil is well-draining and moderately fertile with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Agastache flowers are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater for most of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. As far as pruning goes, deadhead flowers to promote rebloom, and young plants can be pinched back to encourage a bushier habit to form. They will naturally die back to the ground in late fall, and at this time dormant stems should be cut back by about half. To encourage healthy root systems and prevent overcrowding, plants should be divided once every three to five years. For instructions on how to divide your Agastache plant, see the directions below in the Propagation section.

Growing Agastache in Containers
Agastache, or Hummingbird Mint, flowers can be grown in the ground or in containers; the best container plants tend to be dwarf varieties or low-growers, but any Agastache plant can be grown in a pot. Choose a container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom that is at least 10-12 inches in diameter. Use well-draining potting mix amended with sand or perlite, and cover the soil surface with a layer of mulch after planting. This will suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Agastache grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Plants should be divided once every three to five years. For instructions on how to divide your Agastache plant, see the directions below in the Propagation section.

Harvesting Agastache
Agastache plants produce fragrant, edible foliage that is used in a number of ways in the kitchen. Seeds are also edible. To harvest Agastache for its foliage, do so before flower buds open on the plant. This will ensure the most flavorful leaves. Using sharp, clean snips or shears, cut whole stems 4-5 inches above the base of the plant. Leaves can be dried on the stem (hung upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area) or picked off and dried individually. They are typically used for steeping in tea, added fresh to salads, baked goods, or to flavor fruit salad, ice cream, or cream cheese. They also make great additions to fish, chicken, and pork dishes. Leaves have a minty licorice flavor reminiscent of root beer. To store, dry leaves and then place them in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark area. Seeds can be harvested in late fall when flowers have turned brown and dried out. The seeds are used as a flavoring substitute for regular Anise in breads and other baked goods. Flowers are edible and used to garnish dishes and mixed drinks.

Agastache flowers can be used in fresh or dried arrangements, lending height, structure, and wonderful fragrance. Cut flowering stems from the plant 3-4 inches above the ground using clean, sharp shears or snips. The best time to harvest Agastache flowers is in summertime when about half of the flowers on a spike are opened. Harvest in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Drop cut stems immediately into a bucket of cool water. They have a long vase life, lasting for several weeks or longer in some cases. For dried flowers, bunch them up and hang them upside-down in a cool, dark area with good ventilation.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Agastache can be propagated in three ways: by division, by seed, and by cutting. To create a true clone of the plant you are propagating, choose either the division or cutting methods of propagation. To experiment, grow from seed. To propagate your Agastache, or Hummingbird Mint plant, follow the instructions below.

Propagating Agastache by Division
Agastache flowers will need to be divided every three to five years. Division allows more room for existing roots, and will improve the health of plants. The best time to engage in this method of propagation is when plants start to develop new growth in the springtime. Divide your plants in the morning, when the roots won't be exposed to too much heat while they're out of the soil. You will need a clean shovel, a pruning knife, soil amended with compost, and pot(s) (if you will not be immediately planting your propagated plant in the ground). To propagate your Agastache by division, follow these directions:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are enough roots per segment to ensure the division will survive.
If you will be planting your Agastache in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny location with compost-amended soil that is well-draining. Backfill and water generously.
If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with amended soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.

Propagating Agastache by Cutting
The best time to take cuttings from an existing plant is in summer right before it begins to bloom and new growth is abundant. Agastache can be propagated from either soft or hard wood cuttings, and you'll end up with a propagated Agastache that has the same characteristics as its parent. You'll need clean, sharpened garden shears, rooting hormone, potting mix amended with compost, a pot (or pots, depending on how many cuttings you'll be taking), and a pencil. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these instructions:

Choose a plant to propagate. It should be a healthy plant, with new growth and should get some water the night before you take your cutting. Pick a healthy stem tip that has both mature leaves and new leaf buds and make a 4- to 6-inch cutting. Cut quickly and evenly to take the healthiest cutting possible.
Add potting medium to your pot, and give it some water, ensuring that it has good drainage. Make a hole with your pencil in the medium, about two inches down. Dip your cutting in rooting hormone and place your cutting in the hole.
Fill in soil around it and pat down just enough so the cutting stands up by itself. Give it some water.
Keep the soil around your plant somewhat moist as it grows, and ensure that it is in a place that gets bright indirect light and stays at a temperature of between 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Rooting should occur in around ten days. Your new Agastache will be ready to be planted in the garden the next spring, once the danger of frost has passed.

Propagating Agastache by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that propagation by seed does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate your Agastache by division or by cutting. To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not completely deadhead all of your flowers when they fade. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest in late fall, when the flowers have dried and are brown in color (see the image below). Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and take the seeds out of their pods. To grow Agastache from seed, follow these directions:

Gather your materials. You will need a pot or seed tray and soil amended with compost and a spray bottle filled with water.
For best results, sow seeds indoors or in a greenhouse about six weeks before your last frost will occur. Your seedlings will be ready for planting in the garden in springtime. If you are growing just a few seeds, you can use a pot, though if you are growing more than just a few, use a growing tray. Prepare your pot or growing tray by filling it with potting medium.
Place your seeds on top of the potting mix, spaced about 4- 6 inches apart. Sprinkle potting medium over the top until the seeds are covered. As the seeds are starting out, it is best to use a spray bottle to add moisture to avoid uncovering their light soil topping. Keep the soil moist as the seeds develop and maintain a soil temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Continue to monitor for moisture, adequate soil covering and soil temperature until the seeds start to sprout, which can take about 30-50 days. Once the chance of frost has passed by, seedlings can be transplanted to a sunny area of the garden and planted a foot apart. Keep the soil moist as the plant develops and be patient waiting for blooms as they may take a while to develop.