Also known as Hyssop · 3.9k gardener saves

Agastache: the varieties gardeners actually grow

Agastache, the genus most gardeners know as hyssop. We track 63 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.

63 varietiesZones 4–10Mostly full sun

The 12 most-saved Agastache varieties

Of 63 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.

Browse all 63 Agastache varieties →

How to grow Agastache

What the Agastache varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.

The Agastache year

  • DeadheadJune–August90% of varieties

    Remove spent flower spikes to maintain a tidy look and encourage new blooms.

  • Spring CleanupFebruary55% of varieties

    Cut back old, dead stems to 2-3 inches before new growth starts in late winter.

  • DivideMarch and September53% of varieties

    Divide clumps every 3-5 years in early spring if vigor declines.

  • PlantMarch, April, September and October45% of varieties

    Plant transplants in spring after frost or early fall.

  • PruneMarch45% of varieties

    Cut back old, woody stems to 4-6 inches before new growth begins

  • HarvestMay–August38% of varieties

    Harvest leaves and flowers for tea or flavoring throughout summer

  • Winter PrepOctober and November33% of varieties

    Leave seed heads standing through winter to provide food for birds.

  • FertilizeMarch30% of varieties

    Apply a light, balanced fertilizer only if soil is very poor

Do

  • Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
  • Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
  • Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
  • Mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
  • Prune after flowering to encourage bushy growth

Avoid

  • Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
  • Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
  • Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
  • Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌

What goes wrong with Agastache

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue and distorted leavesSpray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Spider MitesFine webbing on leavesUse insecticidal soap or horticultural oil
Spider mitesFine webbing on leavesIntroduce beneficial predatory mites or use insecticidal soap
Powdery MildewWhite powder on leavesImprove air circulation and apply fungicide
Powdery mildewWhite powdery coating on leavesImprove air circulation and apply neem oil
Root rotWilting and yellowing leavesImprove drainage and reduce watering

Making more Agastache

Seed

  1. Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
  2. Keep soil consistently moist for 2-3 weeks.
  3. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.

Cuttings

  1. Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
  2. Mist cuttings and insert into moist potting mix.
  3. Keep in bright, indirect light for 6 weeks until roots develop.

Agastache questions

How many types of Agastache are there?

The Sow catalog tracks 63 distinct Agastache varieties. The most popular — ranked by 3.9k real gardener saves — are shown first above.

What zones does Agastache grow in?

Across its varieties, Agastache covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.

When does Agastache bloom?

Most Agastache varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer to fall, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.

Which Agastache should I choose?

Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.

Keep exploring

Design with Agastache in your own yard

Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.

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