How to Grow Scarlet Mint Bush
iNaturalist
Scarlet Mint Bush
Prostanthera aspalathoides
shrubProstanthera aspalathoides is an evergreen ornamental shrub native to Australia, renowned for its stunning bright red to scarlet tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. This compact, aromatic shrub features fine, needle-like foliage and typically grows 3-4 feet tall and wide. The showy blooms appear in spring and early summer, making it a striking focal point in Mediterranean and drought-tolerant gardens.
When should you plant Scarlet Mint Bush in your zone?
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Example Scarlet Mint Bush timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Scarlet Mint Bush
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Scarlet Mint Bush
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9b-11; can be grown in zone 9a with protection in cold snaps
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Get my Scarlet Mint Bush timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
6-12 monthsYoung transplant with initial root development and foliage growth
Plant in spring after last frost. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged for the first 6-12 months. Protect from extreme heat and cold during first year.
Vegetative Growth
12-18 monthsBush develops dense, fine-textured needle-like foliage; upright to mounding form
Prune lightly after flowering to encourage branching and compact form. Reduce watering gradually as plant matures. Apply light fertilizer in spring if grown in very poor soil.
Pre-flowering
4-8 weeksPlant becomes more robust; flower buds begin forming along branch tips in late winter
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering over foliage. Ensure excellent drainage. Avoid excessive watering.
Flowering
8-12 weeksAbundant bright red to scarlet tubular flowers bloom on branch tips, highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies
Maintain consistent moisture during bloom period. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. Do not fertilize during flowering.
Post-flowering & Maintenance
OngoingFlowers fade; plant returns to vegetative growth; seed pods may develop
Prune after bloom to shape plant and remove leggy growth. Reduce watering to drought levels. Allow some self-seeding if desired.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe. Improve air circulation around plant.
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Prune heavily infested branches. Apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray in early spring.
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Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap if widespread.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Uses
Aromatic Foliage Tea
CulinaryThe finely textured aromatic foliage can be steeped into a fragrant herbal tea with a minty-spicy character, typical of Australian Prostanthera species. The essential oils in the leaves provide a pleasant, refreshing beverage. [source]
Hummingbird & Pollinator Garden
OrnamentalThe brilliant red tubular flowers are specifically adapted to hummingbird pollination and attract native Australian honeyeaters, hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. An essential component of wildlife-friendly ornamental gardens. [source]
Cut Flowers
HouseholdLong-lasting scarlet flower spikes are excellent for fresh floral arrangements and bring vibrant color to indoor spaces for 1-2 weeks in a vase. [source]
Mediterranean & Drought-Tolerant Gardens
LandscapePerfect for xeriscape design, Mediterranean gardens, and water-wise landscapes in warm climates. Low-maintenance and visually striking as a specimen or massed planting. [source]
Traditional Indigenous Use
MedicinalAustralian Prostanthera species have been used traditionally by Indigenous peoples and in herbal medicine for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, though Prostanthera aspalathoides specifically has limited documented ethnobotanical use. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
This is an ornamental shrub grown for flowers, not harvest. Enjoy blooms in spring and early summer (typically March-May in northern hemisphere). Cut stems make excellent long-lasting cut flowers; harvest in early morning when flowers are fully open.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Prostanthera aspalathoides is native to the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions of New South Wales, Australia, where it grows in rocky, well-drained habitats at elevations of 2,000-4,000 feet.
- 🌱 The genus name 'Prostanthera' comes from Greek words meaning 'appendage-anther,' referring to the distinctive stamen appendages visible inside the tubular flowers—a feature used to distinguish Prostanthera from related mint genera.
- 🌱 In Australia, this species is visited almost exclusively by honeyeaters and other native birds, but in North American gardens it reliably attracts hummingbirds, demonstrating the remarkable adaptability of red tubular flowers to different pollinator guilds.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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