Description
Form: Herb.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Leaf retention: This plant is evergreen but drought-deciduous and partly heat-deciduous. It dies to the ground in freezes.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 3-4' (90-120cm) high and 2-3' (60-90cm) wide.
Flowers: Red to orange, narrow, tubular, with a narrow lower lip and horizontal upper lip, on terminal spikes, edible.
Bloom: Late summer into fall, when days are diminishing in length, possibly into winter in frost-free regions. Artificial lights at night that are too bright will prevent blooming.
Fruit: Four tiny nutlets at the base of each dried flower.
Leaves: Green, ovate, serrated margins, softly fuzzy, pineapple-scented, especially when crushed, edible.
Stems: Square cross-section, stiff, upright. The stems may break off at the base in strong winds.
Roots: Spreads by rhizomes. Somewhat invasive.
Wildlife: The flowers attract medium to large butterflies and hummingbirds. The foliage may be browsed by mammals.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Mexico and Guatemala, in mountains at forest edges.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8-11.
Heat tolerant: Yes, with afternoon shade in the hottest part of the year.
Drought tolerant: Once well established, this plant can go without water 2-4 weeks.
Sun: Full sun with afternoon shade to part shade all day.
Soil: Very well draining, slightly moist to dry, pH 6.1-8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline). Poor soil is tolerated.
Water once established: In full sun, weekly, to twice a week in high temperatures. In part shade, once or twice a month. Leaf wilting and curling signals insufficient water. In the hottest part of the year, this plant may display yellowing and/or leaf drop on its lower leaves.
A raised garden bed is preferred, especially in high temperatures, because wet soil induces root rot and leaf drop.
Mulch: Apply organic mulch over the root area to avoid temperature extremes and to retain soil moisture.
Planting: This plant can be grown in containers and brought indoors in regions with winter freezes. If using a container, keep the bottom raised above its saucer so water can drain completely and the soil at the bottom does not become waterlogged.
Prune: Cut to the ground at the start of winter if freezes are expected. Deadheading spent flower stalks in summer encourages new leaf growth and more blooms.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: For cuttings, cut stem tips with two sets of leaf nodes in spring. Plant them in moist soil, in a well-draining container, with a transparent cover to keep the air humid. They sprout roots quickly and are often ready to re-pot in just 2-3 weeks. Seed no more than one year old can be potted indoors and transplanted outdoors when the plants are well developed.
Uses: Ornamental, wildlife garden, culinary. The fresh leaves are used for tea, the flowers are used in salads for color. For other culinary mint plants, see Low Water Culinary Herbs.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). If not available as a potted herb, it can be purchased as seed. The butterflies are a southern dogface and a giant swallowtail.

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