Clustered mountainmint
Pycnanthemum muticum · Lamiaceae
📷 User:SB_Johnny · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Clustered mountainmint is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to September
- Adult size
- 80 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy
- Origin
- North America
- Soil type
- Well-draining, rather dry
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Pycnanthemum muticum loves direct sun, well-drained soil, and moderate coolness in summer.
The common mistake
Too much shade makes stems soft and limits flowering.
The pro's trick
Divide clumps in spring when young shoots appear to rejuvenate the plant.
Seasonal watch
In late dry summer, water at the base if foliage starts to wilt.
Care
Sunlight
Place your mountain mint in full sun for generous flowering and optimal growth. It tolerates partial shade, but prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. A well-ventilated location reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Watering
Water moderately, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Once established, this plant tolerates dry periods well. Avoid excessive moisture, particularly in winter, which would promote rot.
Soil
Well-draining, rather dry soil is ideal for this perennial mint. Enrich the soil with a little compost at planting time. Avoid soil too rich in organic matter, which encourages excessive growth at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back the plant in late winter or early spring to maintain a compact form and encourage branching. Remove dead stems after frost. Light pinching at the start of growth encourages a bushy shape.
Fertilizer
This plant is not demanding: a light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is more than enough. Too much fertilization produces lush foliage but reduced flowering.
Diseases and pests
Mountain mint is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in case of excessive humidity and stagnant air. Good ventilation and watering at the base (without wetting the foliage) prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly called mountain mint, is one of the rare wild North American mints that lacks the characteristic minty scent, hence its epithet 'muticum' (mute). Its small white-pink flowers generously attract bees and butterflies, making it a valuable ally for pollinator gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.