High Country Gardens
Agastache neomexicana
Best low-maintenance perennial for drought-tolerant pollinator gardens.
Discover the Agastache neomexicana, also known as New Mexico Hummingbird Mint, a native perennial that brings vibrant color and fragrance to your garden. This plant features tight spikes of small, fragrant lavender-pink flowers atop sturdy, upright stems, reaching 24-30 inches in height. It's a fantastic nectar source for bees and butterflies, blooming from mid-summer into early fall. Thriving in full sun and well-drained, low-fertility soil, it's waterwise once established and resistant to deer and rabbits. Perfect for mass plantings, containers, or dried arrangements, it adds beauty and attracts pollinators with minimal care.
$14.39
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
28
/ 2513
#28 in Flowers
Price vs Category Average
-65%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Homeowners wanting deer-resistant color throughout the summer
- Gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants for arid climates
- Conservationists looking to support local pollinator populations
Who should skip it
- Minimalists who prefer low-maintenance, non-spreading garden beds
- Gardeners with heavy, moisture-retentive soil types
- Residents in regions with wet, cold winters
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Appeal
A high-octane nectar magnet for local bees and butterflies.
Drought Tolerance
Thrives with minimal water once established in the landscape.
Pest Resistance
Reliably ignored by hungry deer and rabbits in most gardens.
Visual Impact
Sturdy spikes provide consistent vertical interest throughout the summer.
Maintenance Ease
Low-fertility soil preference makes this a true set-and-forget perennial.
Versatility
Adapts well to containers, mass plantings, or dried floral arrangements.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Watering Needs
Low
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Summer, Fall
Fragrance Level
Moderate Fragrance
Pet Safe
False
Growth Habit
Upright
Mature Height
30 inches
Features
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Fragrant lavender-pink blooms
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Drought tolerant once established
- Sturdy, upright growth habit
- Ideal for mass planting
- Suitable for containers
- Excellent for dried arrangements
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Agastache neomexicana plants received, noting their robust health and vigorous root systems upon arrival. The primary theme is reliability; gardeners find this variety establishes easily, even in difficult, dry conditions, offering dependable, long lasting blooms that attract pollinators. This makes it a high value choice for xeriscaping and low water gardens where performance is critical. The plant's ability to thrive with minimal fuss is a major selling point.
Know before you buy
No, this plant is not considered pet-safe. If you have curious pets that tend to chew on garden plants, you may want to place this in a container or an area of the garden they cannot access.
Since this variety has a mature spread of 18 inches, you should space them approximately 18 inches apart on center. This allows for adequate airflow while still creating a lush, filled-in look.
Actually, it prefers the opposite. Agastache neomexicana performs best in low-fertility, well-drained soil; adding too much compost or fertilizer can cause the plant to become floppy or shorten its lifespan.
This perennial is hardy in zones 7 through 10. If you live in a colder climate, it may not survive the winter, so check your local hardiness zone before planting.
Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant and requires low water. You should only need to provide supplemental irrigation during extended periods of extreme heat or drought.
Yes, the fragrant lavender-pink spikes are excellent for dried arrangements. For the best results, harvest the stems when the flowers are just beginning to open and hang them upside down in a cool, dark place to dry.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$14