Name: New Mexico hummingbird mint
Brand: Le potager ornemental de Catherine
SKU: POC-SEMENCES
Price: 4.19 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Sale Sold out

Open-pollinated seeds Lamiaceae

herb

Le potager ornemental de Catherine

Agastache neomexicana

From seed to harvest

Common nameNew Mexico hummingbird mint

FamilyLamiaceae

GenusAgastache

Speciesneomexicana

TypeOpen-pollinated seeds

Botanical nameAgastache neomexicana

Quantity per packet±500 seeds

New Mexico hummingbird mint here refers to Agastache neomexicana, an aromatic plant with small spikes of pink flowers. Its foliage releases a strong lavender and anise fragrance, while its 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in) stature suits a border or container. The seed supplier describes it as a biennial or short-lived perennial, generally living for two or three years. A modest bloom may already appear in the first year. This life cycle calls for planning replacement plants while enjoying their long flowering presence and visits from pollinating insects in the garden.

To begin growing it, sow indoors in early April or directly in the garden in June. The seeds need a very light covering, about 1 mm (0.039 in) deep. The seed supplier lists germination in under ten days at 18–20 °C; this refers to seedling emergence, not the appearance of flowers. Keep the surface moist without soaking it, and provide good light after germination. Then set the plants in full sun in well-drained soil, spacing them about 30 cm (11.8 in) apart. Gradually acclimatizing seedlings started indoors helps them adjust to the more variable conditions of the garden or balcony.

The leaves and flowers of this agastache can be used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Start with a small amount to appreciate their fragrance before adding more to a preparation. A location beside a path lets you follow the bloom and pick a few leaves without walking through the bed. Also leave some flower spikes for the insects that visit them. For winter, the seed supplier reports good survival in zone 4 under conditions suitable for the plant. Above all, maintain effective drainage and monitor clump renewal: its short lifespan is part of its normal cycle, even when it withstands cold.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun
Life cycle: Biennial or short-lived perennial, generally 2 to 3 years

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

1 mm (0.04 in)

Spacing / density

30 cm (11.8 in)

Germination temperature

18 to 20°C (64.4 to 68°F)

Germination time

Fewer than 10 days

Sowing period

Start seeds indoors early April or direct sow in June.

Propagation

Seed sowing

Growing method

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Before opening the packet, prepare the seed-starting supplies and this crop's future growing site. A clean surface, suitable soil and a label prevent unnecessary handling once the vegetable seeds are already in place. Keep the packet dry so that the instructions specific to the seed lot remain available. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Choose a position exposed to full sun with soil that allows excess water to drain away. Plan to sow the seeds indoors in early April or directly outdoors in June. Depth: 1 mm (0 in.). Allow a spacing of 30 cm (11.8 in) between plants. Germination occurs readily in less than 10 days at 18-20 °C (64.4 to 68 °F). Culinary herbs are not all sown at the same depth or time. Follow the species' specific instructions and keep the seedbed moist without burying very fine seeds more deeply.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Moisture

Even moisture without saturation

Care level

Moderate

Watering

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Check moisture in the root zone before deciding whether to water. Rain, wind and the container's exposure affect watering frequency. Choose a position exposed to full sun with soil that allows excess water to drain away. Watering culinary herbs depends on the soil and the species. Check moisture below the surface and allow excess water to drain from containers. A pot near the kitchen can dry quickly in the wind.

Soil type

New Mexico hummingbird mint. The soil must allow roots to receive water and then let excess water drain away. Prepare the soil without working it when it is waterlogged, and address compaction or standing water first. Choose full sun and well-drained soil. Watering culinary herbs depends on the soil and the species. Check moisture below the surface and allow excess water to drain from containers. A pot near the kitchen can dry quickly in the wind.

Fertilization

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Adjust feeding to the actual fertility of the soil or the nutrients already in the growing mix. Soil that is already fertile does not automatically require another application. Follow the chosen fertilizer's instructions, and avoid feeding more when roots are struggling with poor drainage. Choose a position exposed to full sun with soil that allows excess water to drain away. Watering culinary herbs depends on the soil and the species. Check moisture below the surface and allow excess water to drain from containers.

Seasonal care

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Early in the growing period, check emergence and the condition of young roots before changing care. Carry out thinning, transplanting and the installation of supports while the plants are still at a stage that allows careful handling. Throughout the growing season, observe the plant after rainfall, during windy periods and following episodes of hot weather. Remove genuinely diseased parts and keep tools clean. At the end of the growing period, sort the debris, clean containers and store remaining seeds in a dry place. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Choose a position exposed to full sun with soil that allows excess water to drain away. Plan to sow the seeds indoors in early April or directly outdoors in June. Depth: 1 mm (0 in.). Allow a spacing of 30 cm (11.8 in) between plants. Germination occurs readily in less than 10 days at 18-20 °C (64.4 to 68 °F). Culinary herbs are not all sown at the same depth or time. Follow the species' specific instructions and keep the seedbed moist without burying very fine seeds more deeply.

Growing in containers

Container growing

New Mexico hummingbird mint. When growing in a container, consider the available root space, the drainage and the access to light as a whole. Choose a stable pot with clear drainage holes and a growing mix intended for containers. A decorative planter without a drainage outlet should hold an inner pot with drainage holes. Keep the container accessible so that you can check the growing medium rather than watering without inspection. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Choose a position exposed to full sun with soil that allows excess water to drain away. Plan to sow the seeds indoors in early April or directly outdoors in June. Depth: 1 mm (0 in.). Allow a spacing of 30 cm (11.8 in) between plants. Germination occurs readily in less than 10 days at 18-20 °C (64.4 to 68 °F). Give culinary herbs an accessible location so you can harvest them cleanly. Foliage and flower stalks may reach different heights over the season.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in)

Edible parts

Leaves and flowers

Bloom period

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Watch for buds and opening flowers, taking the plant's life cycle into account. Light and establishment conditions influence how this stage progresses. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot.

Harvest

This biennial or short-lived perennial may begin flowering in its first year. Harvest New Mexico hummingbird mint when the edible parts have the size, colour or texture expected for the variety. Harvest with clean hands and use a clean tool when stems resist. Harvesting regularly often helps you enjoy a crop with more consistent quality from one picking to the next. Discard damaged parts and promptly use the most delicate harvests.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Here, companion plants are chosen to share a growing site and simplify care. Position tall plants where they will not deprive their neighbours of the light they need. No arrangement of companion plants can, on its own, guarantee that the crop will be protected from pests. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot.

Garden use

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Prepare the location around the plant's mature shape and the access needed for care. Before you plant, identify the parts of the growing area that will be shaded by a fence or by other crops. An open space beside the foliage makes observation and care easier. Install watering equipment before the stems make the area difficult to reach. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Place culinary herbs near easy access to the kitchen, in soil and exposure suited to them. A small set of containers lets you separate plants with different moisture needs. In the garden, keep lower plants visible and allow room for flower stalks if you want to keep them. Labels help distinguish cultivars. Give culinary herbs an accessible location so you can harvest them cleanly. Foliage and flower stalks may reach different heights over the season.

Recipe and storage

Recipe idea

From garden to table

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Make an infusion with this plant's leaves after picking healthy parts and washing them thoroughly. Keep the cultivar identified and use only confirmed culinary parts. For an infusion, use the fresh or properly dried harvest and pour hot water over a small portion. Let the aroma develop, then strain before serving. Taste first without adding multiple ingredients to discover this plant's flavour. This preparation remains a culinary use and makes no claim of therapeutic effects. Harvest only the amount needed from young plants so they retain the ability to regrow. Use the freshly harvested portions without delay, and keep any dried portions in clean, dry conditions with labels that clearly identify them. Refrigerate prepared leftovers without delay. A seasoning plant should not be replaced by a similar-looking species or decorative flowers whose food use has not been established. A small first preparation will let you adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Wildlife and pets

Wildlife & precautions

Supporting wildlife

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Attracts pollinating insects. Let visitors reach the flowers and avoid insecticide treatments while they are active. Complementary flowering periods can provide resources at other times of the season. Observe insects present in the garden without assuming one plant will consistently attract every species mentioned.

Frequently asked questions

How do you start New Mexico hummingbird mint from seed?

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Prepare for sowing according to the instructions for the plant and seed lot. A label showing the name and date helps you track emergence without confusing cultivars. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Choose a position exposed to full sun with soil that allows excess water to drain away. Plan to sow the seeds indoors in early April or directly outdoors in June.

How much space should you allow for New Mexico hummingbird mint?

New Mexico hummingbird mint. The available space should match the plant's growth, light needs and the access required for care. Account for the shade cast by neighbouring plants once their foliage has developed. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Give culinary herbs an accessible location so you can harvest them cleanly. Foliage and flower stalks may reach different heights over the season.

How should you adjust watering for New Mexico hummingbird mint?

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Decide whether to water after checking moisture near the roots. The surface of the growing mix may look dry while the root ball remains moist. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Watering culinary herbs depends on the soil and the species. Check moisture below the surface and allow excess water to drain from containers. A pot near the kitchen can dry quickly in the wind.

What precautions should you take when growing New Mexico hummingbird mint in a container?

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Container growing requires a stable container with drainage and easy access for care. A planter should not remain saturated after rain or after every watering. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Give culinary herbs an accessible location so you can harvest them cleanly. Foliage and flower stalks may reach different heights over the season.

What signs should you look for when harvesting New Mexico hummingbird mint?

New Mexico hummingbird mint. Assess the right moment using the signs specific to the plant and its intended use. Follow several harvests or flowering periods to recognize the stage that suits your garden. Biennial (or short-lived perennial). Small spikes of pink flowers. The height stated for the plant is 40 to 60 cm (15.7 to 23.6 in), measured as its expected growing height. Strong lavender and anise scent. The plant can be grown in a pot. The flowers and leaves are used in herbal tea or as seasoning. Very long flowering period. Harvest only confirmed edible parts and choose healthy foliage. Cut with a clean tool without removing all the growth from a young plant.