‘Blue Mink’ (Ageratum houstonianum) Photo by: Tiiien / Shutterstock

The color blue, a rarity in the gardening world, is highly coveted by avid gardeners. Ageratum is grown for its whimsical pompom-shaped flowers that occur mostly in shades of blue, though colors also include white, pink, lavender, and red. These popular bedding plants are most often purchased as nursery starts in tray packs or flats, but can also be grown from seed. With sizes ranging from a few inches high to three feet tall, ageratum can be grown in containers, used as edging along pathways or borders, or massed in displays.

Commonly known as floss flower, this member of the Aster family includes 40 species of annuals, perennials, and shrubs native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America. Billygoat weed (Ageratum conyzoides), which has herbal and medicinal qualities, is highly invasive, primarily in Africa, but can also be found growing wild in parts of the Southern US. The ornamental varieties available to home gardeners are grown as annuals, and are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and insect pollinators.

On this page: The Basics | Planting | Care | Choosing the Right Ageratum | Pictures | Landscaping Tips

THE BASICS

Zones:

Usually grown as an annual; perennial in Zones 10-11.

Height/Spread:

4 to 36 inches tall, 6 to 18 inches wide.

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade. Ageratum plants will flower best in full sun; too much shade can result in less blooms and leggy plants. In hotter regions, plants benefit from afternoon shade.

Bloom time:

From late spring to frost.

Color and characteristics:

Also known as floss flower for its floss-like petals, the tiny blooms resemble fluffy pompoms. Flowers are produced in dense clusters in colors of blue, purple, red, white, or pink. Leaves are medium green and oval or lance-shaped. Plant habit ranges from short and densely compact to upright and loose.

Toxicity:

Ageratum can be toxic to grazing animals, causing liver lesions. All parts of the plant are poisonous and may be harmful to pets or humans if ingested. Call poison control or your local veterinarian for advice if necessary.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

Try a sun-loving combo like this ‘Across the Universe’ container recipe that includes: Angelface® Perfectly Pink angelonia, Artist® Blue ageratum, and Diamond Delight® euphorbia. Video by: Proven Winners.

When to plant:

Plant nursery starts outdoors from late spring to early summer after all danger of frost is past. Sow seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last average frost date. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors after your average last frost date; however, plants will not bloom until late summer or fall. Ageratums are heat lovers and will fail to thrive if it’s too cold.

Where to plant:

In a bed or container with rich, well-draining soil that will stay evenly moist.

How to plant:

Press seeds gently into the soil mix and don’t cover, as seeds need light to germinate. Keep moist until leaves emerge (5 to 14 days), and transplant outdoors after all danger of frost is past. For nursery starts, remove plant from the container and gently tease out the roots if potbound. Dig a hole and place so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Gently tamp down soil around the base and water well. Space taller varieties 12 inches apart, and shorter varieties 6 inches apart.

AGERATUM CARE

Pruning and maintenance:

While most will require deadheading to encourage new flowers, others like the Artist® series will grow up over the spent blooms, covering them up, and may not need deadheading to look good. Cut back if plants start looking tired or are outgrowing the space; they should rebloom within a week or two.

Soil:

Plant in well-amended soil that drains well. Ageratum is not fussy about soil pH.

Amendments & fertilizer:

Ageratums are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilizing. Mix a granular slow-release fertilizer into the soil at the time of planting and reapply mid-season, or use a water-soluble fertilizer twice monthly according to package instructions. Yellow leaves may be a sign that plants aren’t receiving enough fertilizer. Mulch with organic material such as shredded leaves or compost to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Keep mulch several inches away from the base of the plant to avoid crown or stem rot.

Watering:

Ageratums have shallow roots, so they can quickly dry out and wilt. Provide consistent water at least weekly, or more as needed during warm spells. To prevent foliar diseases, water in the morning so plants can dry out, or irrigate around the base of the plants rather than overhead.

Diseases and pests:

When planted in the ideal site, ageratums are resistant to most pests and diseases. Too much shade, lack of air circulation, or high humidity can cause fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Poor drainage or overwatering can result in root rot. Possible insect problems include spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies.

Deer resistance:

Deer will generally leave ageratum alone, though extreme conditions can result in deer grazing on plants that they wouldn’t otherwise.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGERATUM

With different forms to choose from, here are some tips to consider:

For beds and borders:

Taller varieties can be planted midway in a border in combination with other annuals and perennials. Shorter types can be sited at the front of a bed or mixed border.

For edging:

Shorter varieties are suitable along pathways.

For containers:

Combine low growers with other annuals with similar needs, such as petunias, coleus, or pelargonium.

For bouquets, flower arrangements, and cutting gardens:

Choose taller varieties with long stems for cutting.

AGERATUM VARIETIES

Swipe to view slides

Photo: Proven Winners

Artist® BlueBuy now from Proven Winners
Ageratum hybrid

Zones:

10-11

Height/Spread:

Dense compact habit, 8 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 10 inches wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time:

Late spring until frost

Color:

Blue-purple flowers, green foliage

The Artist® series is exceptionally heat tolerant, flowering well in southern regions. Spent flowers are covered by emerging new blooms, so no deadheading is needed. Use in containers or baskets as a filler plant in combination with other warm-season annuals, or plant at the edge of a border.

Photo by: InfoFlowersPlants / Shutterstock

‘Blue Horizon’
Ageratum houstonianum

Zones:

Annual in Zones 2-11, may overwinter in Zones 10-11

Height/Spread:

Upright open habit, 24-30 inches tall and 15-18 inches wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time:

Late spring until frost

Color:

Lavender-blue flowers, green foliage

One of the tallest ageratums, the height and multi-branching habit makes this a favorite of cut flower growers. Plant midway in a mixed border, in combination with other cottage-style plants, or in a cut flower bed.

Photo by: Iva Villi / Shutterstock.com

‘Hawaii Blue’
Ageratum houstonianum

Zones:

Annual in Zones 2-11, may overwinter in Zones 10-11

Height/Spread:

Dwarf compact habit, 6 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time:

Late spring to frost

Color:

Lavender-blue flowers, green foliage

These are among the earliest to bloom, with long lasting flowers and exceptional heat tolerance. Other colors in the ‘Hawaii’ series include white and pink. Plant in a container in combination with other warm season annuals, at the edge of a bed or pathway, or massed as bedding plants.

Photo by: Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia

‘Aloha White’
Ageratum houstonianum

Zones:

Annual in Zones 2-11, may overwinter in Zones 10-11

Height/Spread:

Compact habit, 6-8 inches tall and wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time:

Late spring to frost

Color:

White flowers, green foliage

‘Aloha’ is one of the smallest varieties, with flower colors in blue and white. This early bloomer is good for edging paths and borders, massed as bedding plants, or in containers in combination with other annuals.

Photo by: Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia

Bumble™ Rose
Ageratum houstonianum

Zones:

Annual in Zones 2-11, may overwinter in Zones 10-11

Height/Spread:

Compact habit, 6-8 inches tall and wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time:

Late spring to fall

Color:

Rose-colored flowers, green foliage

The ‘Bumble’ series comes in colors of light purple, blue and rose. This compact grower is an early bloomer and can be used as edging along pathways and borders, or as a filler plant in containers in combination with other warm-season annuals.

Photo by: Tiiien / Shutterstock

‘Blue Mink’
Ageratum houstonianum

Zones:

Annual in Zones 2-11, may overwinter in Zones 10-11

Height/Spread:

Dense upright habit, 12 inches tall and wide

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time:

Early summer to fall

Color:

Powder blue flowers, green foliage

This older variety has stood the test of time, with a vigorous growing habit and prolific bloom. Grow in containers in combination with other warm season annuals, at the front of a mixed border, or massed as a bedding plant.

LANDSCAPING TIPS

There are many ways to incorporate ageratum into your landscape. Here’s how:

  • Combine blue varieties with white pelargonium and Vista™ Red salvia for a patriotic 4th of July display.
  • Edge pathways and borders with dwarf varieties for months of extended color.
  • Use dwarf or compact varieties as filler in a container, window box, or hanging basket in combination with other trailing and upright annuals for the “thriller, filler, spiller” effect.
  • Grow taller forms in a cut-flower bed with other summer bloomers such as cosmos, sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias for seasonal bouquets.
  • Plant a dwarf variety in a brightly colored ceramic pot and use as a centerpiece on a patio table where the diminutive flowers can be enjoyed up close.
  • Ageratum combines well with other sun-loving annuals. Possible companions include petunias, bunnytail grass, sweet alyssum, African daisy, calibrachoa, and coleus.

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