Description

Licorice Mint (Korean Mint) – Fragrant, Pollinator-Friendly Herb

Step into your garden and catch the sweet, anise-like scent drifting from tall lavender flower spikes — that's Agastache rugosa, the beloved Licorice Mint of Korean and East Asian herb gardens. This certified organic perennial herb is as beautiful as it is useful: its fragrant foliage brews into a soothing herbal tea, its showy summer blooms draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in droves, and its upright form adds structure and color to borders and herb beds alike.

Easy to grow, drought-tolerant once established, and perennial in USDA Zones 4–9 — Licorice Mint is a low-maintenance powerhouse for any garden.

Why Grow Licorice Mint?

• 🌿 Certified organic — open-pollinated Agastache rugosa seed, current season
• 🐝 Pollinator magnet — nectar-rich spikes attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
• 🌺 Showy blooms — upright lavender-purple flower spikes all summer long
• 🍵 Culinary & medicinal herb — fragrant leaves used in teas, cooking, and traditional Korean medicine
• ☀️ Adaptable — full sun to partial shade; tolerates heat and drought once established
• 🌱 Perennial in Zones 4–9 — comes back year after year; grow as annual in colder climates

Quick Reference

• Botanical name: Agastache rugosa
• Common names: Licorice Mint, Korean Mint, Blue Licorice
• Type: Perennial (Zones 4–9); annual in colder zones
• Mature height: 24–36 inches (60–90 cm)
• Bloom season: Summer
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile; pH 6.0–7.5
• Germination temp: 65–70°F (18–21°C)
• Germination time: 10–21 days
• Spacing: 12–18 inches (30–45 cm)

Planting Instructions

• Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after frost
• Sowing depth: Surface sow and press gently (light aids germination), or cover very lightly (1–2 mm)
• Moisture: Keep evenly moist until germination; then water deeply but infrequently
• Thinning: Thin to 12–18 inches once seedlings are established
• Containers: Use a 2–3 gallon pot minimum with well-draining mix and full sun
• Coverage: ~250 seeds = 25–50 transplants, or broadcast over 10–20 sq ft

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Licorice Mint the same as Korean Mint?
Yes — Licorice Mint and Korean Mint are both common names for the same species, Agastache rugosa. It's also sometimes called Blue Licorice or Hyssop.

Is this the same as true licorice or Dong Quai?
No. True licorice is Glycyrrhiza glabra and Dong Quai is Angelica sinensis — both are entirely different plants. This product is Agastache rugosa only.

Is Licorice Mint a perennial?
Yes, in USDA Zones 4–9 it reliably returns each year. In colder zones (1–3), grow it as a summer annual or overwinter plants indoors.

Can I use Licorice Mint for tea?
Absolutely — the fragrant leaves make a delicious anise-flavored herbal tea. Harvest young leaves before flowering for the best flavor. It's also used in Korean cuisine and traditional medicine.

How many plants will 250 seeds produce?
Expect 25–50 healthy transplants when started indoors, or enough seed to broadcast over a 10–20 sq ft garden bed when sown directly.

Pros and cons

• Disease resistant
• Attracts pollinators
• Flowering
• Fragrant
• Edible