Hyptis

( HIP - tiss )

At-A-Glance Information

Hyptis is a genus filled with species of shrubs commonly called Bushmints. They have a widespread native distribution across North and South America and West Africa and produce light grey-green hairy foliage and purple to pink tubular flowers. Plants release a pleasant, somewhat minty fragrance when disturbed or after rainfall. Hailing from desert regions, these plants do not need much water overall, but will bloom and leaf out better with regular watering, especially during their active blooming and growing periods. Bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators will be drawn to these shrubs in the landscape. Use these scented plants in xeriscaping or wildlife gardens, or simply add them to mixed beds and borders.

Hyptis Species and Varietals

The genus Hyptis contains 27 species and is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). They are related to Salvia, Ocimum, Lavandula, and Mentha. Desert Lavender prefers USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 8-14 and 18-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Hyptis alata (Musky Mint, Clustered Bushmint)
This species is native to the southeastern United States and in South America. These plants prefer to grow in wetlands, prairies, ponds, and wet flatwoods. Individual plants reach up to 4 feet tall, and produce light grey-green foliage. Flowers are small, white, and tubular, dotted with purple-pink spots.

Hyptis capitata (False Ironwort, Knobweed, Buttonweed, Wild Hops)
This erect annual shrubby species is native to Florida, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America and has naturalized in many other areas around the world. It is considered weedy in many areas. Plants typically reach up to 5 feet tall. This species is considered an invasive plant in tropical Australia, southeast Asia, and various tropical islands (Hawai'i, Guam, French Ploynesia).

Hyptis crenata (Brazilian Mint, Hortelã-do-Campo, Hortelãzinha, Salsa-do-Campo, and Salva-do-Marajó)
These shrubby plants are native to Bolivia and Brazil and produce fragrant, flavorful foliage. These plants are used in traditional medicine for pain relief in their native range. Individual plant reach up to 1.6 feet tall when mature and produce inflorescences of small tubular lavender to white flowers.

Hyptis emoryi (Condea emoryi) (Desert Lavender)
This highly aromatic species was previously included in Hyptis, and has now moved to the genus Condea (plant family Lamiaceae). It forms a multi-stemmed shrub to 12 feet tall and produces violet-blue flowers. Foliage is white-grey-green and hairy.

Caring for Hyptis

Plant these shrubs in full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and overall performance. They prefer soil that is sandy or gravelly very well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. When grown in shade, these plants will get a bit leggy and have sparse foliage and flowers. They are easy-care, drought tolerant plants, though during extended drought plants will drop some leaves. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Deep water mature plants infrequently during the active growing and blooming seasons in spring and summertime and withhold waterings starting at the end of summertime to harden the plant up for winter. These plants will die back to the ground in cold temperatures, but if pruned will grow back in the next season. Otherwise, pruning is fairly light or even nonexistent for these plants except to remove spent flower spikes. Annual species are typically pulled at the end of the growing season and composted or left in place to enrich soil. They are replaced in the next year with new plants. Perennial species can survive for decades in the landscape before needing to be replaced. All species will re-seed freely in ideal growing conditions, providing plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Propagation

Hyptis plants are easily propagated by seed. To propagate your Bushmint plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Hyptis by Seed
Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.

Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once you start to see the flowers turning brown and dry and the petals are being shed, you can cut the flower heads off of the plant and place them in a paper bag to be released.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Bushmint are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Bushmint plants are typically very pest and disease-free additions to the landscape. For information on commonly encountered pests and diseases in the garden, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues