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Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly called mountain mint or short-toothed mountain mint or clustered mountain mint, is a clump-forming aromatic perennial that typically grows 1-3’ tall. It is native to Eastern North America (Maine to Michigan to Illinois and Missouri south to Florida and Texas) where it typically grows in grassy open places, meadows, fields, low woodland areas and occasionally in dry upland woods, but not in alpine areas as somewhat inaccurately suggested by its common name.

Performs well in bright shade, but best flowering often occurs in full sun. This plant is a vigorous grower that may spread by rhizomes in optimum conditions, but it is not invasive as are many of the true mints (Mentha). If naturalizing is unwanted, prune roots in spring with a spade to keep clumps from spreading. Propagate by seed or division.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons | user: peganum

Larval Host for the

1-3'

1-3'

SIZE

SOIL

Medium, Average, Moist, Well-Drained

LIGHT

Sun, Part Shade

BENEFITS

Butterflies

NOTES

Leaves have a lovely spearmint scent when crushed

CHARACTERISTICS

Will Naturalize, Low Maintenance, Easy to Grow, Drought Tolerant, Spreads Quickly

July, August, September

Flower

This 

flowers in

Clustered Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

DETAIL VIEW

DESCRIPTION

Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly called mountain mint or short-toothed mountain mint or clustered mountain mint, is a clump-forming aromatic perennial that typically grows 1-3’ tall. It is native to Eastern North America (Maine to Michigan to Illinois and Missouri south to Florida and Texas) where it typically grows in grassy open places, meadows, fields, low woodland areas and occasionally in dry upland woods, but not in alpine areas as somewhat inaccurately suggested by its common name.

Performs well in bright shade, but best flowering often occurs in full sun. This plant is a vigorous grower that may spread by rhizomes in optimum conditions, but it is not invasive as are many of the true mints (Mentha). If naturalizing is unwanted, prune roots in spring with a spade to keep clumps from spreading. Propagate by seed or division.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons | user: peganum
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