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Narrow-Leaf Mountain Mint Seeds (Pycnanthemu tenuifolium) - Native Wildflower

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Narrow Leaf Mountain Mint, also known as Slender Mountain Mint, Common Horsemint, or Virginia thyme, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to central and eastern North America.

Narrow Leaf Mountain Mint is a valuable plant for pollinators, as its flowers are a source of nectar for butterflies and bees. The leaves can be used as a culinary herb, adding a minty flavor to dishes. The leaves can also be dried and used in teas.

Height 1–3 feet
Light requirements Full Sun 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily Part Sun 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily Part Shade 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily Shade Under 4 hours of direct sunlight daily Full Shade 0-3 hours of sunlight daily, preferably morning sun. Can be filtered (dappled) light to deep shade Dappled Light Soft, shifting pattern of sunlight and shade when sunlight filters through the leaves Full Sun (tolerates partial shade)
Water Medium
Bloom Time Summer
Stratification Not Needed
Soil Adaptable; sandy, loamy, or clay, well-drained
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Beneficial Insects

Site Selection
Sunlight: Pycnanthemum tenuifolium thrives in full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. However, it will produce the most flowers in full sun.  
Soil: This plant prefers moist to slightly dry, well-draining soil. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as the soil is well-drained.  
Location: Choose a location that is convenient for you to access for watering and maintenance.

Soil Preparation
Loosen the soil: Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches. This will help the roots of the plant to grow and spread.
Add organic matter: Amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure. This will improve the soil's drainage and fertility.  
pH: Pycnanthemum tenuifolium prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. If your soil is outside of this range, you can amend it with lime or sulfur to adjust the pH.

Planting
Sowing seeds outdoors in fall:
Sow the seeds in late fall, after the first frost.
Scatter the seeds evenly over the prepared soil.
Lightly cover the seeds with soil, about 1/4 inch deep.
Water the seeds thoroughly.

Sowing seeds outdoors in spring:
Sow the seeds in early spring, after the last frost.
Follow the same instructions as for fall sowing.

Starting seeds indoors for later transferring outdoors in the spring:
Start the seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Sow the seeds in a seed starting mix.
Keep the seeds moist and warm until they germinate.
Once the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, you can transplant them outdoors.

Watering
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium needs regular watering, especially during the first year of growth.
Water the plants deeply and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.  
Once the plants are established, they are more drought-tolerant.

Stratification and Scarification
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium seeds do not require stratification or scarification.

Maintenance
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium is a low-maintenance plant.  
Deadhead the flowers to prevent the plant from self-seeding.  
Divide the plants every few years to prevent them from becoming overcrowded.  

Invasiveness
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium is not considered to be invasive. However, it can spread by rhizomes to form colonies. If you want to prevent it from spreading, you can divide the plants regularly.  

Additional Tips
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium is a good choice for a pollinator garden. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.  
This plant is also deer-resistant.  
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium can be used to make a tea. The tea is said to have medicinal properties.

Narrow-Leaf Mountain Mint Seeds (Pycnanthemu tenuifolium) - Native Wildflower
Pycnanthemu tenuifolium
Narrow Mountain Mint

Native Plant Map

Dark Green indicates the plant is native within the state, yellow rare, the lime green indicates where the plant is native and seen more within a state.

Map Credits BONAP©2024

Frequently asked questions

Why didn't my seeds germinate?

Most of the time, the seeds aren't dead. They're waiting. Many native wildflowers have built-in dormancy that keeps them from sprouting until they've been through a winter. If they skip that cold, moist period, they can sit in the soil and do nothing. Other common causes:

  • Planted too deep. Many native seeds are tiny and need light to germinate. Press them onto the soil surface instead of burying them.
  • The soil dried out. Seeds need steady moisture for the first few weeks after they start to wake up.
  • Not enough time. Some natives sprout within weeks. Others take a full season or longer, and a few come up the following spring.
  • Competition. Weeds and turf grass can crowd out seedlings before you notice them.

If your seeds haven't come up, don't dig up or till the area. Mark the spot, keep the weeds down, and give it another season. Many "failed" plantings fill in the next spring.

When is the best time to plant native seeds?

For most native wildflowers, late fall through early winter is the best time. Sowing then copies what happens in nature: the seeds drop in autumn, go through winter cold and moisture, and sprout when the soil warms in spring. Plant after your first hard frost, so the seeds don't sprout early and get killed by the cold.

If you miss fall, you can still plant in spring. Seeds that need a cold period will do better if you cold stratify them first. Mix them with damp sand or vermiculite, seal them in a labeled bag, and keep them in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days before sowing. Check each seed's product page or packet QR code for its own instructions, since needs vary by species.

Why aren't my native plants blooming in the first year?

That's normal. Most native perennials put their first year or two into building deep roots, not flowers. Those roots are what make native plants tough, drought-tolerant, and long-lived once they're established. A common rule of thumb is "first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap." Be patient, keep weeds under control, and let the plants settle in. The blooms are worth the wait.

Testimonials

★★★★★

I love Native Sunflowers in my home garden and landscape.

Mary Hoggins
Tyler, Texas
★★★★★

Last year in the Fall, I collected a lot of seeds I planted this year.

Roger Holmes
Dallas, Texas
★★★★★

They really added a big splash of color to the front of my house garden bed. Love them!

Audrey Long
Mobile, Alabama

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