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. 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.
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
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 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
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Acicular; Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant; Good Dried
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
1" to 2" narrow (almost needle like), opposite leaves that are fragrant.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Edible; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Displays from September to October.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Square multi-stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
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.