PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; avoid allowing the root zone to dry out completely
Temperature
Hardy to -30°C; withstands summer heat with adequate soil moisture and partial shade
Characteristics
- Leaf: Opposite, ovate, serrated edges, fragrant when crushed
- Flower: Dense terminal whorls of tubular red, pink, or purple blooms; colorful leaf-like bracts surround flower heads
- Stem: Square, green to reddish, hairy, upright clumping growth habit
Care Guide
Watering
Maintain even soil moisture; mulch around base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Fertilization
Apply balanced organic fertilizer once at emergence. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leggy growth and reduced flowering
Composted banana peel tea：Compost banana peels for 2–3 weeks, steep in water for 24 hours, dilute 1:20 with water for root drench; discard solid debris to avoid pest attractionPruning
- Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage continuous summer blooming
- Cut back stems to 15 cm above soil level in late autumn to promote winter hardiness
- Thin crowded clumps every 2–3 years in early spring to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic; no adverse effects reported from ingestion
Humans: No known toxic effects for humans; safe for culinary and medicinal use in moderation
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Used by Indigenous Oswego people as a medicinal tea; associated with pollinator conservation
Usage: Ornamental pollinator garden plant, culinary herb for teas and salads, medicinal remedy for minor ailments
