Herbaceous ageratina (Ageratina herbacea)

Photo: JerryFriedmanCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Herbaceous ageratina Plant Care

Ageratina herbacea (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Ageratina herbacea is a North American species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae known by the common names fragrant snakeroot and Apache snakeroot. It is native to desert regions (Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan Deserts) of the southwestern United States (southeastern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas) and northern Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora). It grows in rocky slopes in conifer forests and woodlands.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Herbaceous ageratina?

Plant Herbaceous ageratina in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Herbaceous ageratina Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Herbaceous ageratina?

Herbaceous ageratina (Ageratina herbacea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Ageratina genus. Herbaceous ageratina is native to desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Herbaceous ageratina is also known as Eupatorium ageratifolium, Eupatorium herbaceum, Kyrstenia herbacea.

Herbaceous ageratina displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Herbaceous ageratina produces clusters of small white or pink flowers in flat-topped inflorescences.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Herbaceous ageratina?

Water a young or newly planted Herbaceous ageratina every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Herbaceous ageratina Need?

Herbaceous ageratina thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Herbaceous ageratina Prefer?

Ageratina herbacea tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Herbaceous ageratina prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Herbaceous ageratina?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Herbaceous ageratina to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Herbaceous ageratina?

Feed Herbaceous ageratina every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Herbaceous ageratina?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Herbaceous ageratina is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Herbaceous ageratina?

Herbaceous ageratina can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Herbaceous ageratina?

Prune Herbaceous ageratina while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Herbaceous ageratina in Winter?

Herbaceous ageratina is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Herbaceous ageratina?

Herbaceous ageratina can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sticky ageratina plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Herbaceous ageratina Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Herbaceous ageratina?

Herbaceous ageratina is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Herbaceous ageratina Need?

Herbaceous ageratina grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Herbaceous ageratina is native to desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Herbaceous ageratina as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Herbaceous ageratina is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Ageratina genus — compare its care with other Ageratina species on PlantoScan.

Ageratina is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Herbaceous ageratina thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Ageratina Species

Other Ageratina species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Ageratina herbacea (A.Gray) R.M.King & H.Rob., family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 19: 222 (1970)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Herbaceous ageratina is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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