Texas Hummingbird Mint &
A hummingbird moth gathers nectar from Texas Hummingbird Mint &
Texas Hummingbird Mint &
Gardener smiling holding a bunch of Texas Hummingbird Agastache.
Texas Hummingbird Mint &
A close-up of butterfly extracting nectar from Texas Hummingbird Mint &
Texas Hummingbird Mint &
A hummingbird moth gathers nectar from Texas Hummingbird Mint &
Texas Hummingbird Mint &
Gardener smiling holding a bunch of Texas Hummingbird Agastache.
Texas Hummingbird Mint &
A close-up of butterfly extracting nectar from Texas Hummingbird Mint &

Agastache Seeds,
Texas Hummingbird Mint 'Heather Queen'

4.112 ReviewsSKU: #HB272Min. seed count: 35
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Description

(Agastache cana). Tidy half-hardy perennial that is aromatic and attractive to pollinators. Plants fill the air with minty fragrance; the pretty spiked flowers are popular for arranging. This dynamic landscape plant is easy to grow, adds long-season color, and grows in neat clumps that do not spread or take over. Hardy, overwinters from zones 6a–9b, but can be easily grown farther north as an annual. Pollinators are drawn to its fragrance, and hummingbirds cannot resist the flowers! This plant can be dried for making tea and is also used to make a mosquito-repelling oil.

Growing Tips: Texas Hummingbird Mint 'Heather Queen' is a refined, clump-forming native agastache prized for its long season of fragrant, hummingbird-attracting flower spikes and its tidy, non-invasive garden habit. Unlike some perennials that spread aggressively, it stays neatly in place, making it an ideal choice for borders and structured pollinator plantings. The aromatic foliage and flowers are useful fresh or dried for tea, and the plant's essential oils have traditional applications as a mosquito repellent.  

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Agastache cana
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
14–21
Days to Maturity
90–120
Planting Depth
Surface sow
Plant Spacing
12 in.
Ideal Temperature
60–90°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date for the best chance of first-year bloom, or direct sow outdoors in early spring once soil can be worked. Seeds require light to germinate and should be surface sown without covering. A brief cold stratification period of two to four weeks may improve germination rates for this native species. In Zones 6a–9b, established plants overwinter reliably; in colder zones, treat as a long-blooming annual started fresh each spring. If you're not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.

How to Sow and Plant

Surface sow seeds by pressing them lightly into moist, well-drained soil without covering. Texas Hummingbird Mint is well adapted to the lean, rocky, and sandy soils of its native Texas and New Mexico habitat—avoid heavy clay or poorly drained conditions. Space transplants or thin seedlings to 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for the plant's neat, clumping mature habit. No heavy soil amendment is needed; overly rich or moisture-retentive soils can reduce plant longevity and fragrance intensity.

How to Grow

Texas Hummingbird Mint 'Heather Queen' is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, thriving in heat and full sun with minimal care. Water regularly during the first season to encourage strong root development, then reduce irrigation as plants mature. Excellent drainage is essential year-round and particularly critical through winter, when wet soils are the leading cause of plant loss. Deadhead spent flower spikes to sustain the long blooming season, and cut plants back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins. 

How to Save Seeds

Texas Hummingbird Mint produces small seeds in clusters along the dried flower spike, typical of the Lamiacae family.

  • Allow a few flower spikes to dry fully on the plant at the end of the season
  • Harvest seed spikes by cutting and placing in a paper bag to capture any that fall
  • Dry thoroughly in a cool, well-ventilated location before cleaning
  • Store cleaned seeds in a sealed, labeled container in a cool, dry, dark place for up to 3 years

FAQ

Why is this plant called Texas Hummingbird Mint?

Agastache cana is native to Texas and New Mexico and produces nectar-rich flower spikes that hummingbirds find especially irresistible. The minty fragrance of the foliage further reinforces its common name.

Can Texas Hummingbird Mint really repel mosquitoes?

The aromatic oils in Agastache cana have traditionally been used to make a mosquito-repelling oil, and the plant is grown in gardens chiefly for its minty fragrance and its appeal to hummingbirds.

Is Texas Hummingbird Mint 'Heather Queen' suitable for cut flower arrangements?

Yes—the upright, fragrant flower spikes are well suited to fresh and dried arrangements. Cut stems when flowers are just fully open and hang upside down in a cool, dry location to preserve their color and form.

Browse our full range of hyssop and agastache seeds.

Customer reviews

4.1 / 5 12 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Hummingbird magnet: Hummingbirds and bees flock to the small tubular blooms.

  • Blooms all summer: Deep pink flowers keep coming from early summer into fall.

  • Takes heat and drought: Shrugs off drought and days above 100 degrees once established.

  • A new favorite: Gardeners call it a favorite and plan to plant more next year.

  • Growing tips: Germination can be slow and uneven; start indoors and be patient.

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