What they do
Mountain mints offer long-lasting summer blooms that attract a wide variety of pollinators.
Plant profile
Mountain mints
Genus Pycnanthemum
Mountain mints are tough, fragrant native wildflowers that bloom in summer and are famous for drawing in a busy mix of pollinators. They’re easy to grow, handle a range of garden conditions, and make a great “plant it and watch it” choice for pollinator patches.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Mountain mints
Aliases
Mountain mint
Native Range
Native to parts of North America (species vary).
Bloom window
Summer
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Mountain mints are a smart choice when you want a plant that’s both easy and exciting. They don’t need fancy care, and once they start blooming, you’ll often notice a steady stream of visiting insects.
Where to plant: Choose a spot with good light and soil that drains. Mountain mints can fit into a flower border, a school garden bed, a small pollinator patch, or a large container.
What to expect: The plant forms a clump and may slowly expand over time. If you love a full, natural look, let it grow. If you want it more contained, divide the clump or edge it back.
How to keep it simple: Water while it’s getting established, then step back. Avoid pesticides, and try to leave the plant blooming as long as it’s flowering—pollinators will do the rest.
Best role for pollinators
Pollinator patches, school gardens, borders, and sunny-to-partly-shaded spots where you want lots of insect activity.
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Mountain mint |
| Bloom window | Summer |
| Typical height | About knee- to waist-high (varies by species and growing conditions) |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Flies, Wasps, Beetles |
| Light & moisture | Sun to part sun; average moisture (many types handle a range once established) |
| Best roles for pollinators | Pollinator patches, school gardens, borders, and sunny-to-partly-shaded spots where you want lots of insect activity. |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Give them decent light, room to form a clump, and soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
One best action
Plant one clump (or one pot) and let it bloom through summer before you tidy up.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Mountain mints are a practical way to add lots of pollinator activity with one easy, long-blooming perennial. They’re especially helpful in small gardens where every plant needs to do a lot.
Even though the flowers are tiny, they’re packed into clusters—like a buffet made of lots of small plates.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- A single planting can support many different kinds of pollinators at once.
- Summer blooms help fill the gap when spring flowers are finished and fall flowers haven’t started yet.
- Aromatic foliage can make the plant less appealing to browsing animals in many gardens.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Use these clues to recognize mountain mints in the garden:
Leaves
Opposite leaves on the stem; often narrow to oval; aromatic when crushed or rubbed.
Flowers
Tiny, pale flowers (often white to light pink) grouped in dense clusters near the top of the plant.
Fruits
After flowering, small dry seed structures form; leave some standing for natural reseeding if desired.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Open woods and woodland edges
- Meadows and prairies
- Sunny clearings and roadsides
Where it is often used
- Pollinator patch centerpiece
- Border and pathway planting (great scent when brushed)
- Meadow-style or naturalized areas
- Container planting (choose a roomy pot)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Mountain mints are a summer mainstay.
Bloom Season Role: Mid-to-late season nectar and pollen
Seasonal benefits
- Reliable bloom window for steady pollinator visits
- Pairs well with earlier and later bloomers to extend the season
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Best in full sun, but many mountain mints also do well in part sun.
Soil type
Average garden soil is fine; aim for soil that drains reasonably well.
Moisture needs
Water to establish; after that, water during long dry spells, especially in containers.
Planting method
Plant in spring or fall. Give each plant space to form a clump and expand over time.
Mulching tips
Use a light mulch to reduce weeds, but keep mulch off the crown to prevent rot.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Pick a sunny or partly sunny spot with soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
- Dig a hole about as deep as the root ball and a bit wider.
- Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Backfill, press gently, and water well.
- Add a thin layer of mulch, leaving a small gap around the stems.
Seasonal care
- Water regularly for the first few weeks; then water only when the soil is dry several inches down.
- Deadheading is optional—leaving flowers can extend the natural look and still supports pollinators while blooming continues.
- If the clump gets too large, divide it in spring or fall and replant or share.
- Cut back stems after they’re done blooming, or wait until later to tidy up if you like a more wildlife-friendly garden.
What not to do
- Planting in a spot that stays wet after rain
- Letting it crowd smaller neighbors
- Using pesticides to deal with minor leaf damage
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Golden alexanders
- Wild columbine
- Spring-blooming native violets
Mid-Season Bloom
- Black-eyed Susan
- Purple coneflower
- Bee balm
Late-Season Bloom
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Joe-Pye weed
“Mountain mint” can mean several different species in the Pycnanthemum genus. If you’re shopping, look for a plant label that includes the full scientific name so you know which one you’re getting.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few helpful terms you might see on plant tags or garden guides:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Pollinators supported
Species that benefit from this plant
Bee flies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
View pollinator profile
Brushfoots
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
View pollinator profile
Bumble bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
View pollinator profile
Flower flies / hoverflies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
View pollinator profile
Hawk / sphinx moths
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
View pollinator profile
Leafcutter bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Mason bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Mining bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Paper wasps
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
View pollinator profile
Silkmoths (giant moths)
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
View pollinator profile
Skippers
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
View pollinator profile
Small nectar moths (micro-moths)
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
View pollinator profile
Soldier beetles
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
View pollinator profile
Swallowtails
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
View pollinator profile
Sweat bees
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
View pollinator profile
Whites & sulphurs
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
View pollinator profile
Regions
Where this plant is native
Sierras of Jalisco and Michoacán with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a set of temperate mountain landscapes where conifer, oak, and mixed forests create layered habitat—from sunny edges and clearings to shaded understories.
Explore region profile