Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) is a hardy, long-lived native perennial wildflower prized for its exceptional pollinator value and aromatic foliage. This drought-tolerant native plant features upright stems, silvery-green leaves with a refreshing minty scent, and dense clusters of small white to pale lavender flowers that bloom throughout summer.

Why Choose Mountain Mint for Your Native Garden:

• Pollinator Powerhouse: Attracts bees, butterflies, beneficial wasps, and other native pollinators in abundance
• Deer Resistant: Aromatic foliage naturally deters deer and other browsing wildlife
• Drought Tolerant: Thrives in dry to medium moisture conditions once established
• Low Maintenance: Hardy perennial that spreads gradually to form attractive clumps
• Versatile Native: Adapts to various soil types and moisture levels

Ideal for: Pollinator gardens, prairie restorations, rain gardens, meadows, wildlife habitat, and naturalized landscapes. Mountain Mint is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking native plants that support local ecosystems while providing season-long beauty and fragrance.

Native Range: Eastern and Central United States

🌱 Mountain Mint

A hardy, long-lived native perennial prized for its exceptional pollinator value, Mountain Mint produces upright stems of silvery-green, aromatic foliage topped with dense clusters of small white to pale lavender flowers through summer.

Site Selection
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: Adaptable; tolerates a range of soil types and moisture levels, from dry to medium-moist.

Planting Outdoors
Sow in fall so winter provides natural cold stratification, or chill seed before a spring sow (see Stratification below). Scatter seeds and press lightly into the soil surface. Thin or space seedlings 12-18 inches apart, as this species spreads gradually to form clumps.

Starting Seeds Indoors
Start 6-8 weeks before the last frost in a well-draining seed-starting mix, sown on the surface.

Stratification & Scarification
Beneficial: 30 days of cold, moist stratification can improve germination, though many gardeners succeed with a direct fall sow. Scarification not required.

Watering
Keep soil lightly moist until germination; once established, Mountain Mint is drought tolerant and adapts to dry to medium moisture conditions.

Maintenance
Low maintenance once established. Aromatic foliage naturally deters deer and other browsing wildlife. Divide clumps if they outgrow their space.

Additional Notes
One of the most valuable native plants for pollinators - expect heavy activity from bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps whenever it's in bloom. Native to the Eastern and Central United States.