White bergamot is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to eastern and central USA. In NC, it is found primarily in the mountains in moist woods, thickets, ravines, lightly shaded mountain hillsides, on the edge of woodlands, or on lightly shaded meadows. The specific epithet signifies its resemblance to the related genus Clinopodium , whose generic name means “little bed foot” and references the shape of the calyx. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soils. This plant will do best in the cooler summers of the mountains. This species is deer resistant, fast-growing and may be somewhat weedy. It may be propagated by seeds in the fall, winter, or early spring. Rootball division is best done in the spring as new growth emerges. It is an excellent pollinator plant and attracts bee, bumblebees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The flower is mildly fragrant, somewhat showy and blooms from May to September with each inflorescence producing flowers for about two or three weeks. Use in borders in a naturalized area, at woodland edges, or in native/pollinator gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The plant is mostly free of pests and diseases. It has good powdery mildew resistance, but maintain good airflow around it. More information on Monarda .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are green, simple, opposite in arrangement, ovate with shallowly toothed margins. The leaf measures 5 to 6 inches long and 1.5 inches wide.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flower is mildly fragrant, and the flower head grows at the end of the unbranched or branched stems. The flower head is 2 inches wide and has many individual blossoms. The bloom is about 1 inch long and is white to creamy white with purple spots on the lower lip. The upper lip is narrow. The bracts subtending the inflorescences are pale green and often have a purple midvein. It blooms from May to Sept.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Once the flower fades and the petals drop off, a brown seed head develops. It is best to allow the seed heads to dry on the plant and then collect the seeds. The seeds are brown, smooth, and very small.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Square stems, petioles are red and smooth. There are a few hairs on the upper petioles. The upper stem may be slightly hairy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern U.S.A
Distribution
AL , CT , DC , DE , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , MI , MO , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
Wildlife value
Attractive to bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for nectar and pollination.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Fresh or dried leaves and flower heads of this plant may be brewed to make tea.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Native Americans used the plant to treat a variety of ailments.