Repotting guide

When & how to repot Agastache 'Blue Fortune' (Agastache 'Blue Fortune')

Also called Blue Fortune hyssop, Anise hyssop.

More about agastache 'blue fortune'

About Agastache 'Blue Fortune'

Agastache 'Blue Fortune' · also called Blue Fortune hyssop, Anise hyssop · flowering

A robust, award-winning anise hyssop hybrid (A. foeniculum x rugosa) topped from midsummer into autumn with dense, powder-blue bottlebrush flower spikes. The anise-scented foliage is loved by bees and butterflies and shunned by deer. More cold- and wet-tolerant than most Agastache, this upright, sterile-flowered perennial blooms for months and makes a magnet for pollinators in sunny borders.

Mature size: 75-90 cm tall and 45-60 cm wide (about 2.5-3 ft tall, 1.5-2 ft wide)

Watch for — Root rot in wet winters: Soggy winter soil is the main killer. Plant in sharply drained ground; add grit to heavy clay.

How to tell agastache 'blue fortune' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For agastache 'blue fortune', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for agastache 'blue fortune') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot agastache 'blue fortune'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Agastache 'Blue Fortune' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with sturdy stems topped by long-lasting flower spikes. Sterile (sets little to no seed), so it blooms longer and does not self-sow aggressively..

What size pot to step agastache 'blue fortune' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Agastache 'Blue Fortune' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping agastache 'blue fortune' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot agastache 'blue fortune'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for agastache 'blue fortune'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting agastache 'blue fortune'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide agastache 'blue fortune' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip agastache 'blue fortune' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh well-drained, average to lean soil, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water agastache 'blue fortune' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for agastache 'blue fortune'

Agastache 'Blue Fortune' wants well-drained, average to lean soil. Sharp drainage is key; tolerates poor, dry and rocky soils. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Heavy, wet clay shortens its life — improve drainage with grit. Rich soil produces lush but floppier growth. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting agastache 'blue fortune' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot agastache 'blue fortune'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for agastache 'blue fortune'. Only repot agastache 'blue fortune' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using well-drained, average to lean soil. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does agastache 'blue fortune' need?

When is the best time of year to repot agastache 'blue fortune'?

Does agastache 'blue fortune' like to be root-bound?

Yes — agastache 'blue fortune' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise agastache 'blue fortune' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting agastache 'blue fortune'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.