Any good, well-draining soil. Good for cut flowers or foliage. Draws hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant is adaptable to most well-drained soils and is easy to grow in any good garden soil that drains well. If pruning is necessary to remove dead branches or to control its size, prune as soon as flowers fade since blooms develop on short shoots from the previous year's growth.
Pest problems are minimal.
Leaf color intensifies to near black in midsummer and does not fade to green like some cultivars. The dark-purple foliage is being sold in Europe as a cut branch for the floral market. It is a strong grower. It matures to 4-5 feet but can easily be maintained as a smaller plant if desired. The plant is easily propagated under mist.