Narrow Mountain Mint

Narrow 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 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.

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.