Botanical Name: Agastache ‘Little Adder’

Common Name: Hummingbird Mint

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 6–10)

Size: 14–18" Tall × 14–18" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate Once Established; Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Early Summer through Fall

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Deep Violet-Blue Flower Spikes, Dark Calyxes, Aromatic Foliage, Heat Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Exceptional Pollinator Plant

Uses: Ideal for Borders, Containers, Pollinator Gardens, Perennial Beds, and Small-Space Plantings

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Agastache Growth & Care Guide for full care details.

More About Agastache ‘Little Adder’

Little Adder is what I recommend when someone loves the drama of Black Adder but doesn’t have the space—or patience—for a tall, sprawling plant. It carries that same moody violet-blue coloring and dark calyx contrast, just scaled down into a much tidier package. The flower spikes rise cleanly above the foliage without towering over nearby plants, which makes it feel intentional instead of overpowering. I think of it as the “well-mannered” version of Black Adder—still bold, just easier to live with.

What really separates ‘Little Adder’ from other Agastache varieties is how balanced it stays as the season goes on. It branches well from the base, holds its stems upright, and doesn’t open up or lean the way some older Agastache can by midsummer. I’ve tucked it into tighter beds and mixed borders where a full-sized Agastache would have been too much, and it never feels cramped or out of scale. The aromatic foliage stays clean, and the plant keeps a neat silhouette even in heat.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

Little Adder has been around for a while, so we don’t trail it anymore. It has proven what it needed to; consistently dependable in full sun and well-drained soil, even during hot, sticky Summers. It settles in quickly, doesn’t need staking, and flowers steadily from early Summer into Fall without any fuss. Little Adder keeps its shape better than many compact Agastache selections that start strong and then fade or thin out.

Pollinators treat it just like they do the larger Agastache—bees and butterflies are constant, and hummingbirds still find it easily despite the smaller size. From a design standpoint, that’s a big win. You get the same wildlife value and color impact as taller varieties, but in a plant that fits comfortably at the front of a border, in containers, or in smaller garden spaces. When I want that deep, dramatic Agastache look without committing half a bed to it, ‘Little Adder’ is the one I trust.

Little Adder vs. Other Agastache Varieties

Compared to its parent variety, Little Adder offers the same rich color and pollinator appeal in a much smaller footprint. Where ‘Black Adder’ excels in meadow plantings and large borders, ‘Little Adder’ shines in tighter spaces and more formal garden designs. Sunrise™ White offers a completely different effect, brightening plantings with a clean, airy look that lifts surrounding colors rather than grounding them.

When compared to other compact Agastache like Kudos™ Coral or Beelicious® Pink, ‘Little Adder’ stands out for its darker coloration and more dramatic contrast. For gardeners seeking bold color, strong pollinator performance, and a compact habit, Agastache ‘Little Adder’ is one of the best small-scale Hummingbird Mint available.