Honey Bee Blue

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Honey Bee Blue opens with a heady, honeyed anise fragrance that rises from velvety, lance-shaped foliage and lingers in the garden air.

At maturity, it forms a graceful mound of deep blue-purple flower spikes, rich in nectar and irresistible to pollinators—perfect for fresh bouquets and aromatic drying. Grow Honey Bee Blue for its bold licorice-cool flavor profile and its ability to elevate teas, syrups, and fragrant infusions with a clean, lingering sweetness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Honey Bee Blue

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Aug 15th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Agastache foeniculum reads like a flirtation between mint and licorice—sweet at first, then cool and fragrant—so you want it where aromatics can do the work (steeping, syrups, gentle fruit pairings). Chop or bruise lightly and use it sparingly: a little goes a long way, and it stays smooth in infusion without turning harsh.

Best Uses

steeped tea or cold-brew infusions for a licorice-cool finish
anise-scented syrups for cocktails, soda, and espresso drinks
chopped-leaf garnish on fruit salad or yogurt to keep its perfumed edge
lightly bruised leaves in fruit compote or poached pear

Flavor Profile

cool anise-laced sweetness honeyed floral aroma minty-lifted, herbal bite silky leaves that steep clean, not bitter

Kitchen Pairings

lemon orange honey vanilla dark chocolate fennel

Frequently Asked Questions

Agastache foeniculum (Honey Bee Blue) has black, wilting stems—what pest or disease is most likely and how do I fix it?

Blackened, wilted stems in Agastache foeniculum are often caused by stem rot or fungal crown issues (commonly worsened by persistent wet soil). Remove and discard affected plants, then improve drainage and water only at the soil line (no overhead watering). If you catch it early, apply a labeled fungicide for ornamental perennials following the package directions, and keep the area weed-free to improve airflow.

How often should I water Agastache foeniculum during active growth so it thrives without rotting?

During the main growing phase, water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, aiming for deep but infrequent soaking. Agastache foeniculum prefers evenly moist conditions early on, then more drought-tolerant moisture once established—so avoid keeping the crown constantly wet. In hot weather, this typically means about 1–2 waterings per week depending on your soil, with less in heavier soils.

How can I tell when Honey Bee Blue (Agastache foeniculum) is ready to harvest at about 70 days?

Harvest when flower spikes are mostly open—look for the majority of florets on each spike to be fully colored, with fewer buds still tightly closed. For cut flowers, snip stems in the morning when blossoms feel firm and are at peak color. If you’re harvesting for dried petals/leaves, take leaves once plants are well established (mid-summer), and dry flower spikes right after most blooms open for best scent and color.