About Agastache mexicana (Kunth) Lint & Epling
Agastache mexicana (Kunth) Lint & Epling is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, commonly known as Mexican giant hyssop. It is native to southern North America. This is a perennial, self-fertile plant that can grow up to 100 cm tall. Its leaves are lanceolate or oval-lanceolate; young leaves carry a lemon scent. For proper development, the species requires alkaline or neutral, aerated, light soil. Excessive humidity, soil compactness, and damping will cause the plant's root system to rot. Agastache mexicana grows well in full direct sunlight or partial shade, but does not thrive in shaded interior corners or under taller plants. These unsuitable conditions cause the plant to develop yellowing, leaf loss, lack of flowering, and even eventual death. Sunny days paired with cooler nights produce a more intense aroma in the plant's leaves. It can flower once it reaches 1 month old, but requires at least 3 days of natural or artificial watering over a two-week period to do so. Its young lemon-scented leaves are used to make herbal teas, and the leaves are also commonly used to flavor foods. In Mexican ethnomedicine, an infusion made from the above-ground aerial parts of Agastache mexicana has been used for jaundice therapy. Despite the alternate common name "mosquito plant", there is no evidence that this plant repels mosquitoes.
