Navajo Sunset Agastache is a Southwest native perennial herb that brings both visual drama and culinary delight to gardens in zones 4 through 10. This heirloom cultivar produces stunning orange blooms on open, airy plants that reach 28 inches tall and 30 inches wide, paired with foliage that releases an incredible citrus scent when brushed. The minty-citrus flavor makes it a must-have for the tea garden, while its exceptional hardiness and drought tolerance make it thrive where other herbs struggle. It's irresistible to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, transforming a humble herb garden into a pollinator sanctuary.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-10
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The combination of edible, deliciously minty-citrus tea and ornamental orange flowers in one vigorous plant is hard to beat. Native to the Southwest, Navajo Sunset thrives on neglect, demanding neither rich soil nor frequent watering while still producing abundant herbal harvests. Its ability to attract pollinators en masse makes it as valuable to the ecosystem as it is to the kitchen.
Navajo Sunset Agastache is grown primarily for tea, where its minty-citrus leaves steep into a refreshing, aromatic beverage. The bright orange flowers are equally edible and make striking garnishes for drinks and dishes. Many herb gardeners also grow it in the ornamental border specifically for its visual appeal and pollinator magnetism.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost at a constant temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep seedlings in bright light and transplant when they develop true leaves.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, then transplant after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart in full sun.
Harvest leaves and flowers throughout the growing season once the plant is established, beginning about 2 months after transplanting. Pinch off individual leaves or strip them from stems as needed for tea. Pick flower spikes when they are fully open and vibrantly colored orange. Morning harvest, after dew has dried, yields the strongest citrus scent and flavor.
Pinch back young plants once they reach 6 inches to encourage bushier, more compact growth. Deadhead spent orange flower spikes to extend the blooming season and maintain the plant's neat appearance. In late winter or early spring, cut back the previous year's growth to about 3 to 4 inches to rejuvenate plants and prepare them for new growth.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.