Hummingbirds bring so much energy and life to a garden, and if you love watching them zip around, planting hummingbird mint (Agastache) is a great way to keep them coming back. But why stop there? Pairing it with the right plants can turn your garden into an even more inviting space, full of color, movement, and pollinator activity.
Here’s a list of 22 great companion plants that thrive alongside hummingbird mint and the hateful eight you should avoid. Let’s make your garden a hummingbird hotspot!
1. Coneflower
Standing tall with striking colors, this plant is an absolute treat for the eyes. Coneflower, known for its daisy-like appearance, radiates charm with its pink-purple petals and a golden center. It thrives best in full sun, ensuring it blooms beautifully throughout the growing season.
To keep these beauties happy, plant them in well-drained soil and water them regularly. A little deadheading also goes a long way in encouraging more blooms.
2. Bee Balm
Bursting with vibrant colors, this plant steals the show in any garden. Bee Balm, with its brilliant red blooms, attracts hummingbirds like a magnet. For optimal growth, plant it in full sun or partial shade.
Keep the soil consistently moist to ensure a thriving display. Pruning after flowering not only tidies up the plant but also encourages a second wave of blooms.
3. Yarrow
With its sunny disposition, this flower brings cheer to any spot. Yarrow showcases clusters of bright blooms that are hard to resist. It prefers full sun and can tolerate poor soil conditions, making it a resilient choice for gardens.
Once established, it requires minimal irrigation, making it an ideal low-maintenance companion. Its drought-tolerant nature ensures it’s a reliable addition to any garden.
4. Coreopsis
Radiating sunshine, this delightful bloom is like a smile for your garden. Coreopsis, flaunting its bright yellow petals, adds a dash of happiness wherever it grows. It loves full sun and does best in well-drained soil.
Regular deadheading keeps the blooms coming, ensuring a mesmerizing display throughout the season. It’s an easy-going plant that requires minimal fuss to flourish.
5. Sedum
Adapting to its environment with ease, this succulent beauty is a garden favorite. Sedum, with its fleshy leaves and starry flowers, thrives in almost any condition. It prefers sunny spots and dry, well-drained soil.
Minimal watering is needed, making it perfect for xeriscaping. This hardy plant is a fuss-free choice for those looking to add texture and interest to their garden.
6. Penstemon
With its tubular blooms, this plant sings a sweet song to the garden’s visitors. Penstemon boasts purple blossoms that are as charming as they are enticing. To keep it flourishing, plant in full sun with well-draining soil.
It appreciates regular irrigation but can tolerate short droughts once established. Deadheading encourages a prolonged blooming period, ensuring its beauty lasts.
7. Black-Eyed Susan
Bright and cheerful, these flowers bring sunshine to any garden. Black-Eyed Susan, with its golden petals and dark centers, is a classic favorite. It thrives best in full sun and well-drained soil, creating a stunning display all season long.
Regular pruning of spent flowers encourages more blooms and keeps the garden vibrant. It’s a resilient and easy-to-grow option for gardeners of all levels.
8. Blanket Flower
Blazing with fiery colors, this flower adds warmth to any space. Blanket Flower, known for its red and yellow petals, creates a captivating display. It flourishes in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil.
It needs minimal hydration once established, making it a low-maintenance choice. Deadheading encourages continued blooming, ensuring a lively garden throughout the summer.
9. Gaura
Elegant and airy, these blooms dance like butterflies in the breeze. Gaura, often called whirling butterflies, captivates with its white and pink petals. They enjoy full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.
Regular watering keeps them looking fresh, while deadheading encourages more blooms. This graceful plant adds a touch of whimsy to any garden setting.
10. Butterfly Weed
Vibrant and enticing, this plant is a magnet for fluttering friends. Butterfly weed, with its striking orange blooms, is irresistible to pollinators. It thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil, making it a hearty addition to any garden.
Butterfly weed has minimal moisture requirements once established, and it’s known for its drought resistance. This plant is not only beautiful but also supports the butterfly population.
11. Catmint
Soft and soothing, this plant adds a calming presence to the garden. Catmint, with its gray-green leaves and purple-blue blooms, exudes a delightful fragrance. It’s happiest in with plenty of sunlight and in a well-draned soil where it can spread and flourish.
Regular pruning keeps it tidy and encourages fresh growth. Known for its low-maintenance nature, it’s a favorite among gardeners.
12. Verbena
Bursting with vibrant hues, this plant is a favorite in many gardens. Verbena, with its clusters of purple flowers, adds a pop of color and charm. It adores full sun and well-drained soil.
Regular watering keeps it thriving, while cutting off dead flowers ensures continuous blooms. Its long-lasting flowers make it a popular choice for garden beds and borders.
13. Prairie Dropseed
Graceful and swaying, this grass adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. Prairie Dropseed, known for its fine-textured blades, creates a soft, flowing appearance. It thrives in full sunlight and well-draining soil, complementing its companions beautifully.
Minimal watering is needed once established, making it a drought-tolerant choice. Its delicate seed heads add interest and movement to the garden.
14. Blue Fescue
With its cool color, this grass brings a touch of tranquility to the garden. Blue Fescue, known for its blue-gray foliage, adds texture and contrast. It loves basking in the sun, hates having wet roots, requiring little maintenance.
Minimal moisture is needed, making it drought-tolerant and perfect for xeriscaping. This versatile grass complements a variety of garden styles.
15. Aster
Charming and timeless, these flowers add a touch of nostalgia to any garden. Aster, with its purple blooms and yellow centers, is a classic beauty. It needs full sun and the growing medium that drains well, creating a picturesque display throughout autumn.
Water your aster regularly to keep it flourishing and prune the dead flowers for more blossoms. This perennial favorite is a staple in flower gardens.
16. Milkweed
Supporting life and beauty, this plant is a beacon for butterflies. Milkweed, with its clusters of pink blooms, is essential for monarch caterpillars. It requires plenty of sun and great drainage, making it a must-have for butterfly gardens.
Once established, it requires minimal watering, and its drought tolerance is a bonus. This plant not only enhances your garden but also aids in conservation efforts.
17. Mexican Sunflower
With its towering presence, this plant commands attention in the garden. Mexican sunflower, known for its fiery orange blooms, is a magnet for pollinators. It’s another sun and drainage lover, reaching impressive heights.
Regular watering ensures a vibrant display, while deadheading encourages more blooms. This bold plant adds a splash of color and drama.
18. Goldenrod
Adding warmth and brightness, this plant is a fall favorite. Goldenrod, with its arching stems and yellow blooms, creates a striking display. It grows in full sun and medium with good drainage, requiring minimal care.
Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and easy to maintain. This plant not only beautifies your garden but also supports pollinators in late summer.
19. California Poppy
A pop of color and a dash of Californian spirit can transform your garden. The California poppy, with its vibrant orange petals, is a joy to behold. It wants its full sun and great drainage, making it a resilient choice for gardens.
Minimal watering is required, and it can self-seed, ensuring a splash of color year after year. This carefree plant is perfect for sunny spots.
20. Globe Thistle
With its unique form, this plant adds an architectural element to the garden. Globe thistle, known for its spiky blue blooms, catches the eye with its bold appearance. It prefers full sun and well-drained medium, thriving in dry conditions.
Minimal moisture is needed once it’s established, making it a low-maintenance choice. This thistle adds texture nd intrigue to any landscape.
21. Liatris (Blazing Star)
Reaching for the sky, this plant offers vertical interest and beauty. Liatris, with its vertical spikes of purple blooms, is sure to captivate. It thrives in sunlight and draining mediums, making it a sturdy garden addition.
Regular watering during dry spells helps maintain its vigor. This plant not only adds height but also attracts pollinators, making it a garden favorite.
22. Rock Cress
Spreading like a colorful carpet, this groundcover adds a layer of charm. Rock cress, with its tiny purple blooms, is perfect for filling gaps in rock gardens. It flourishes in full sun and soils with ample drainage, creating a beautiful cascade of color in these settings.
Rock cress needs minimal irrigatin once established, making it an easy-care option. This plant is perfect for adding a splash of color to hard-to-fill spaces.
23. Hostas
In the shady corners, these plants create a lush, green oasis. Hostas, with their broad, leafy presence, are more suited to shade than sun, making them less ideal companions for hummingbird mint. Their preference for moist, rich soil contrasts with the needs of sun-loving plants.
Placing them near Agastache may lead to competition for nutrients, with neither thriving to their full potential. It’s best to keep these shade lovers in their preferred environment.
24. Ferns
These forest dwellers bring a touch of ancient beauty to garden spaces. Ferns, with their delicate fronds, prefer shady, moist conditions, contrasting with the sunny needs of hummingbird mint.
Their love for water can lead to root rot in drier companions, making them incompatible. It’s wise to plant ferns in their own moist habitat to keep them happy and healthy.
25. Roses
Romantic and fragrant, these blooms are garden royalty. Roses, while stunning, demand attention and care but don’t play well with hummingbird mint.
Their lack of nectar isn’t that appealing to hummingbirds, which can make them not want to visit your Agastache as well. To get the most out of both plants, it’s advisable to give roses their own space.
26. Daylilies
With their bold colors, these flowers are showstoppers. Daylilies, while hardy, can overtake more delicate plants with their vigorous growth.
Their competitive nature and preference for different soil types can clash with the needs of hummingbird mint. Planting them apart ensures each can shine without outcompeting the other for resources.
27. Mint (Mentha species)
Herbaceous and refreshing, these plants are known for their invasiveness. Mint, with its rapid spread, can quickly dominate a garden bed, leaving little room for companions.
Its aggressive nature makes it a troubling neighbor for hummingbird mint, which prefers more harmonious conditions. Keeping mint in containers helps manage its spread, allowing other plants to flourish.
28. Japanese Anemone
Delicate and graceful, these flowers bring late-season beauty. Japanese Anemones thrive in partial shade, preferring rich, well-drained soil, which isn’t always ideal for sun-loving companions.
Their spreading habit can lead to overcrowding, competing for resources with nearby plants. It’s best to provide them with their own space to flourish without interference.
29. Lilacs
Fragrant and nostalgic, these shrubs are garden favorites. Lilacs, with their bold fragrance, prefer rich, well-drained soil and ample space to grow.
Their size and nutrient needs can overshadow smaller, less demanding plants like hummingbird mint. To enjoy their blooms without conflict, give lilacs their own territory.
30. Ornamental Grasses (Invasive Varieties)
Majestic and graceful, these grasses add movement and texture. However, invasive varieties can overrun a garden, competing fiercely for space and resources.
Their aggressive nature can crowd out more delicate plants like Agastache. Choosing non-invasive types or planting them separately ensures harmony in the garden.