How to Grow and Care for Flossflower

Flossflower, also known as Bluemink, Blueweed, Mexican paintbrush, Pussy foot

Flossflower thrives best in well-draining soil with regular watering, though it's tolerant of various soil types. Special care points include ensuring flossflower receives ample sunlight while avoiding the hottest part of the day and deadheading spent flowers to promote further blooming. Its maintenance is relatively straightforward, making it a popular choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Humans

In This Article

Planting and Growing Flossflower

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Annual, Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Early summer
Hardiness Zones	7-12
Toxicity	Toxic to Humans

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Varieties of Flossflower

Flossflower 'Horizon'

Like many Bluemink hybrids flossflower 'Horizon' is named for something blue; in this case, a horizon. This cultivar is popular with gardeners for its showy blue-purple flowers and for attracting bees and butterflies. This cultivar is noted for its sturdy and upright stems.

Flossflower 'Blue Horizon'

Flossflower 'Blue Horizon' is a Bluemink named for its clusters of fluffy blue-purple flowers. This plant is most valued by gardeners as a bedding plant that mixes extremely well with other flowers. This hybrid is shorter than the parent plant, growing to 75 cm in contrast to 1 m.

Flossflower 'Summer Snow'

The flossflower 'Summer Snow' is an F1 hybrid houstonianum. This summer flower has snowy, floss-like petals, giving it a fluffy look. If you enjoy a splash of white amid the brightness, they can be lovely accent flowers. They also work beautifully as a border for a brightly colored garden, giving it a gilded look.

Flossflower 'Blue Danube'

Flossflower 'Blue Danube' is a compact bluemink cultivar growing to about half the size of its parent plant (30 to 50 cm instead of up to 1 m). The name refers to the deep lavender-blue color of the flowers, though most cultivars of this species are blue. Gardeners love that this cultivar is particularly attractive to pollinators.

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The Toxicity of Flossflower

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More General Info About Flossflower

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Flossflower is a small, bushy annual often seen reaching heights of about 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) and displaying a mounding habit roughly equal in height and width. Its visually distinguishable features include clusters of feathery flower heads comprised solely of tubular florets that create a tassel-like appearance. These blooms exhibit longevity in retaining their color, a characteristic hinted at in its genus etymology, underscoring the flower's lasting vibrancy. The foliage forms a backdrop for the flowers, with planting recommended to be spaced 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart.