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Agastache rugosa - (Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Kuntze.

Common Name Korean Mint
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy places in mountains, especially by streams, and in valleys all over Japan[58]. Sunny, more or less stony meadows from the lowlands to elevations of 1500 metres[275].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Agastache rugosa Korean Mint


(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010
Agastache rugosa Korean Mint
(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Agastache rugosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Young leaves - raw or cooked[177]. A strong anise-like fragrance, they are normally used as a flavouring[183] or as an addition to the salad bowl[238]. We find them a bit coarse and too strong for use as a salad[K]. The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[183]. A pleasant flavour[238]. The seed is possibly edible[177]. No further details. The seed certainly should not be poisonous, but it is very small and its use would be very fiddly[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antifungal  Antipyretic  Aromatic  Cancer  Carminative  Diaphoretic  Febrifuge  
Refrigerant  Stomachic

Korean mint is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. Considered to be a "warming" herb, it is used in situations where there is "dampness" within the digestive system, resulting in poor digestion and reduced vitality[254]. The leaves and stems are antibacterial, antifungal, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge and stomachic[147, 176, 218, 238, 279]. They are used internally to improve the appetite and strengthen the digestive system[238], they relieve symptoms such as abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea and vomiting[254]. They are also used to treat morning sickness[254]. The leaves are also used in the treatment of chest congestion, diarrhoea and headaches[218]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of angina pains[222]. The plant is used as a folk remedy for cancer, extracts of the plant have shown anticancer activity[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Attracts wildlife. The flowers are very attractive to bees[244].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[244].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[133]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions. Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring[111]. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Chinese giant hyssop, Huo xiang, Korean mint, Wrinkled great hyssop[1-4].

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, North America, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Taiwan, Tasmania, UK, USA, Vietnam[1-4].

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Agastache canaHoary Balm Of Gilead, Mosquito plantPerennial0.8 0-0  LMNDM20 
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Agastache mexicanaMexican Giant HyssopPerennial0.8 6-10  LMNDM302
Agastache neomexicanaNew Mexico Giant Hyssop, Bill Williams Mountain giant hyssopPerennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM312
Agastache urticifoliaGiant Hyssop, Nettleleaf giant hyssopPerennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM31 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Kuntze.

Botanical References

58200275

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Stan Doronenko   Wed May 16 2007

"It is hardy to zone 8 and is not frost tender" - that's not true. Agastache rugosa grows in Russia Far East where winter can be -30 cold. I grow it in my garden in Slovakia which is approximately zone 5.

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