Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Mountain Mint:
- Phonetic Spelling
- pik-NAN-thee-mum ten-yoo-ih-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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Mountain mint is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its region of origin is from eastern Canada to central and eastern United States. Mountain mint is found growing in dry meadows, fields, thickets, open woods, upland prairies, and along roadsides. The species epithet is Latin for “narrow leaf” and describes the distinctively linear leaves of this species.
This plant grows in full to partial sun in all types of soil. It prefers acidic soil (pH < 6.0) with good drainage. It can tolerate occasional dry or wet conditions. Mountain mint grows in a clumping form that is stiff, erect and compact to a height of 2 feet, but it can grow up to 4 feet. Planting space requirement is 1 to 3 feet.
The flowers are clusters of many small, two-lipped corollas ranging from whitish to lavender with purple spots. Blooms start when the plant reaches a width of approximately 1 foot wide, and they attract native bees, bumblebees and honey bees. All parts of the plant have a minty aroma when crushed. Rubbing the leaves on the skin has been used as a mosquito repellent. The dried leaves and flowers may be used in making teas and flavorings.
This plant was selected as the 2019 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
This plant naturalizes easily and can be used in a rain, pollinator, sensory or edible garden. It may also be grown in meadows and woodlands, near ponds, or on slopes and river banks. It can spread rapidly so it benefits from being confined by hardscape elements in the landscape.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Durham County Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pycnanthemum
- Species:
- tenuifolium
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Rubbing the leaves skin has been used as a mosquito repellent.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA MA, MD ME MI, MN, MO. MS, NC, NE NH, NJ, NY OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. This plant attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators including native sweat bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The dried leaves and flowers are used for making teas and flavorings.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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 Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small whitish flowers with a touch of pink in numerous rounded cymes; two lips with lower lip having three lobes. Blooms from June to August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Dried
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1" to 2" narrow (almost needle like), opposite leaves that are fragrant.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Square multi-stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
