Loomis' mountain mint is a native herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It is native to the Eastern United States. It is widespread in North Carolina but very rare in the Coastal Plain. This mountain-mint does best in dry soil in partial shade, occurring naturally in open upland woods, woodland edges, and limestone outcrops. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, and it can quickly colonize a site by self-seeding. These characteristics make Loomis' mountain mint a good choice for erosion control. Be aware of the weedy tendencies of mints. Loomis' mountain mint grows as an erect, many-branched perennial herb, typically around 3' tall at maturity. The branches terminate in flower heads subtended by bracts and hoary leaves. Flowers are white to lilac with purple spots. The leaves are opposite with toothed margins. This species is difficult to distinguish from hoary mountain mint ( Pycnanthemum incanum ) and southern mountain mint ( P. pycnanthemoides ) without examining the seeds. Like other native mountain mints, it is fragrant, edible, and outstanding in a pollinator garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems More information on Pycnanthemum .
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.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
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
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
1.5 to 4 in. egg- to lance-shaped, toothed, opposite, stalked leaves with white down (hoary) below.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Cluster of small, lobed, two-lipped, whitish to lavender flowers with small purple spots; hoary bracts below the flower. Blooms June to August.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Mericarps 0.5-1.3 mm long, with a smooth surface, glabrous or with a few short hairs at the tip. Fruit shows in September and October
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green; White
Stem detail
Hoary stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southern United States
Distribution
Alabama, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Wildlife value
This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, especially smaller species like hairstreaks, and many other insects.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Leaves and flowers have a mint odor/flavor and are used for tea.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Children's Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Edible Garden; Garden for the Blind; Native Garden