Also known as Flossflower · 57 gardener saves
Ageratum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ageratum, the genus most gardeners know as flossflower. We track 3 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.
The 3 most-saved Ageratum varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlue Mistflower
Ageratum corymbosum
#2 most savedFloss Flower Ageratum
Ageratum houstonianum
#3 most savedBlue Horizon Floss Flower
Ageratum houstonianum 'Blue Horizon'
How to grow Ageratum
What the Ageratum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ageratum year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant transplants in spring or early fall
- DeadheadJune–September67% of varieties
Remove spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming until frost.
- FertilizeMay–August67% of varieties
Feed every 2-4 weeks with a liquid fertilizer, especially in containers.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth
- Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Fertilize monthly during the active growing season
- Deadhead spent flowers for prolonged blooming
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Allow soil to dry out completely between watering
- Neglect pruning, which can lead to legginess
- Use heavy, clay soil without amendments
What goes wrong with Ageratum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use horticultural oil and increase humidity |
| Whiteflies | White flying insects on undersides of leaves | Use yellow sticky traps or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
Making more Ageratum
Seed
- Sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost, cover lightly with soil, and keep moist.
- Maintain temperature at 70°F (21°C) for germination, which takes 7-14 days.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost has passed.
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings from healthy plants in late spring.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix.
- Keep in high humidity and indirect light for 4-6 weeks until rooted.
Ageratum questions
How many types of Ageratum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Ageratum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 57 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ageratum grow in?
Across its varieties, Ageratum covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ageratum bloom?
Most Ageratum varieties bloom in late summer to fall, summer to fall, summer to frost. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ageratum 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
Ageratum shows up in
Design with Ageratum 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.
