< Back

Blue MistFlower

Ageratum corymbosum

false

1 gallon

Blue MistFlower

Out of stock

3’x3’

Sizes:

Blue Mistflower – Ageratum corymbosum
Also known as: Butterfly Mist, Floss Flower

Blue Mistflower is a must-have for butterfly gardens. This fast-growing perennial forms a soft, mounding shape about 3 feet tall and wide in a single growing season. Bright green leaves line the stems, and in spring through fall, the plant is covered in clusters of fuzzy lavender flowers. These blooms are a magnet for butterflies, especially monarchs (Danaus plexippus) and queens (Danaus gilippus), which often gather in clouds around the plant.

What makes Blue Mistflower even more special is its hidden role in butterfly health. The plant contains natural compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which monarch and queen butterflies collect and pass along as part of their mating process. Males gift these compounds to females, which then pass them on to their eggs, helping protect future generations from disease and predators. It’s one of the many fascinating ways plants and pollinators have evolved together.

Blue Mistflower prefers partial shade in the low desert and does best with regular water during the hottest months. In full sun, especially here, it can look stressed, so planting it under trees or in protected spots can keep it happier and healthier. Hard pruning in late winter will rejuvenate the plant and encourage lush growth and heavier blooming.

Native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico, Blue Mistflower is a perfect fit for pollinator-friendly gardens in the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Monarch (Danaus plexippus); Queen (Danaus gilippus); Yellow Sulphurs (Coliadinae)
Bird Resources: Potential cover and perching habitat
Bird Species: None specifically documented locally
Bees: Attracts honey bees (Apis mellifera) and numerous native bees

Plant Care

Native region:

Sonoran Desert; Chihuahuan Desert

Water needs:

Moderate

Exposure:

Filtered Sun

Mature size:

3’x3’

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Light Blue

Flower season:

Summer-Fall

Pruning:

Shear in late winter to promote new growth

Cold Hardiness:

15 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.