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Mountain Mint: The Unsung Hero of the Pollinator Garden

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Butterfly and bees on flowering plant

Mountain mint may not steal the show with flashy blooms, but this hardy, fragrant plant is a true champion in the garden.

With clusters of silvery-white flowers and a refreshing minty scent, mountain mint is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and all sorts of beneficial insects, and its strong scent helps deter pests, making it a must-have for low-maintenance gardens that thrive with minimal fuss.

Look for these varieties:

  • Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)
  • Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
  • Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
  • Clustered Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Growing Reference

Unlike other mints, mountain mint is not as aggressive if you want to control its spread. You can manage it by cutting off any overgrowth with a sharp spade.

Bee pollinating mountain mint flowers

Light Needs
Mountain mint thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it prefers plenty of sunlight, it can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.

Soil Needs
This tough plant isn’t picky! Mountain mint grows best in well-drained soil but can handle poor or rocky conditions. Once established, it’s remarkably drought-tolerant

Size
Mountain mint typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. It’s perfect for filling gaps in your garden while adding a soft, silvery glow.

Spacing
Space mountain mint plants about 1 to 2 feet apart. Giving them room to spread ensures healthy airflow and keeps plants from becoming overcrowded.

Zone
Mountain mint is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, thriving in a variety of climates and bouncing back year after year with little effort.

Nectar Quality
Mountain mint’s small, delicate flowers may look unassuming, but they’re packed with high-quality nectar that draws pollinators in droves. It’s one of the best plants for attracting diverse beneficial insects to your garden.

Companion Plants

Mountain mint pairs beautifully with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and bee balm. Its silvery foliage offers a lovely contrast to vibrant blooms, while its pest-repelling properties make it an ideal neighbour for more delicate plants.

Green plant with a blue dragonfly resting.

How to Grow from Seed

Start mountain mint seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last frost date for best results.

For stubborn seeds, try the paper towel method: place seeds on a damp paper towel, fold it over, and seal it in a plastic bag. Pop the bag in the fridge for 4-6 weeks to mimic winter conditions, which encourages germination.

Once stratified, plant seeds in well-draining soil and keep them warm (around 70°F) to help them sprout.

Close-up of green plant with seed pods.

Growing Tips

Keeping your mountain mint happy and healthy

Close-up of flowering herb plant.
  1. Mountain mint thrives on minimal care, so avoid overwatering. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and rarely needs extra watering.
  2. Deadheading isn’t necessary, but leaving spent flowers on the plant can provide food for wildlife in winter.
  3. Mountain mint can spread, so planting it in a contained space or regularly trimming runners can help keep it in check.

Pollinator Power

If you’re looking to supercharge your pollinator garden, mountain mint is the plant for you! Its nectar-rich flowers are irresistible to bees, butterflies, and even wasps, who provide valuable pest control in return.

Plant some mountain mint, and you’ll have a buzzing, fluttering crowd of garden helpers in no time.

Butterfly and bees on flowering plant

Mountain mint may not be flashy, but it’s a true workhorse in the garden — tough, fragrant, and buzzing with life.

Give it a spot in your pollinator patch, and you’ll quickly see why it’s an unsung hero!

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