Korean Mint
Agastache rugosa
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Pl. A7AC — Agastache rugosa
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IOverview
Overview
Korean Mint (Agastache rugosa) is a perennial plant native to the temperate regions of East Asia, including Amur, China North-Central, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Islands, Manchuria, and Primorye. This member of the Lamiaceae family thrives in full sun with well-drained soil that can be either dry or moist. Known for its edible leaves and seeds, it is also valued for its ornamental qualities due to its distinctive height of 1 meter and width of 0.66 meters. Its adaptability to various soil types, including light (sandy) and medium textures, makes it a versatile addition to gardens in hardiness zones 7-10.
Quick answers
What is Korean Mint?
Korean Mint (Agastache rugosa) is a perennial plant native to the temperate regions of East Asia, including Amur, China North-Central, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Islands, Manchuria, and Primorye. This member of the Lamiaceae family thrives in full sun with well-drained soil that can be either dry or moist.
What is Korean Mint used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Korean Mint
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Korean Mint appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Korean Mint is traditionally used in East Asian herbal medicine to support digestion, often consumed as a tea after meals. It helps soothe the digestive tract and may aid in reducing bloating.
The mechanism involves carminative properties from compounds like thymol and eugenol which help relax smooth muscle tissue in the gastrointestinal tract.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Harmony
digestiontea
Traditional blend for aiding digestion.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Korean Mint thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It can tolerate dry to moist conditions but requires consistent watering during the growing season. This perennial is hardy in zones 7-10, making it suitable for temperate regions. Propagate via seeds or division in spring. Growing to about 1 meter in height and 66 cm in width, Korean Mint is both ornamental and edible, with its leaves and seeds being the parts used.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
7-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
1.0 m × 0.66 m
For first-time growers
How to grow Korean Mint for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Korean Mint in a sunny spot, and you'll have a low-maintenance herb for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a trowel, compost, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and prepare containers at least 12 inches wide.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden after danger of frost is past, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Keep plants shaded if direct sun is too intense.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and regular watering, especially during dry spells. Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to promote bushier growth and prevent legginess.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting deadheading, and waiting too long to prune.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeed
Edible uses: Condiment, Tea
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
9 native · 10 introduced
Distribution
9 native · 10 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 9 native· 10 introduced
Europe5 regions
introduced (5)AustriaGermanyRussiaSwedenUnited Kingdom
Asia7 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwan
introduced (3)ChinaLaosVietnam
Broader regions
native:Kuril Is., Primorye, Amur, Khabarovsk
VIIIGarden companions
4 pairs
Garden companions
4 pairsPlant near these
These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence herb guild pairing: overlapping bloom windows increase beneficial-insect habitat in medicinal herb beds.
Pot marigold
Calendula officinalis
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence herb guild pairing: overlapping bloom windows increase beneficial-insect habitat in medicinal herb beds.
Fagopyrum esculentum
Fagopyrum esculentum
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence herb guild pairing: overlapping bloom windows increase beneficial-insect habitat in medicinal herb beds.
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Living mulch
Lower-confidence herb guild pairing: low living mulches protect soil around taller perennial herbs when kept from crowding crowns.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
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