Also known as Ageratum · Blue Billy-Goat Weed · Blue Billygoat-Weed
Bluemink (Ageratum houstonianum) is a vibrant annual offering fluffy, powder-puff blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, perfect for borders and containers.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun to partial shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best blooming. Tolerates some shade, especially in hot climates.
Regular watering
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist, allowing top layer to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid waterlogging.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Warm temperatures
75% intensity
Prefers daytime temperatures between 18-24°C. Can tolerate slightly cooler nights but is sensitive to frost.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Moderate feeding
50% intensity
Feed every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during warm weather. Allow the top centimeter of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Reduce watering in cooler months, but avoid letting the soil become completely dry. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier growth. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding. Prune lightly in late spring or early summer to maintain shape and size.
For older, leggy plants, a harder prune in early spring can rejuvenate them.
Easily grown from seed, sown indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Cuttings can also be taken from non-flowering shoots in late spring or early summer, which root readily in moist potting mix.
Annuals typically do not require repotting if grown in containers for a single season. If overwintered indoors, repot in early spring into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Bluemink (Ageratum houstonianum)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Ageratum |
| Species | Ageratum houstonianum |
Similar in genus Ageratum
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
