Plant DetailShow Menu

Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum

Phonetic Spelling
pik-NAN-thee-mum mu-tee-kum
Description

Blunt Mountain Mint is a native perennial in the mint family.  It is commonly found in woodland areas and thickets and it prefers moist to medium well-drained soil.  The leaves emit a strong spearmint fragrance when crushed.

 

More information on Pycnanthemum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden Crowder Park Prairie and Native Plants Garden Bee Hive Garden, Wake Co
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#fall flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#native perennials#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#butterfly friendly#HS302#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#fall flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#fragrant leaves#native perennials#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#butterfly friendly#HS302#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pycnanthemum
    Species:
    muticum
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
    Edibility:
    Leaves and flowers used for tea
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Cluster of two-lipped whitish flowers; lower lip has three lobes and upper lip has two lobes. Less showy than other species in the genus. Blooms from June to August.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Good Dried
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, broad toothed leaves; rounded at base
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Square stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Weedy