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Meehan's Mint

Meehania cordata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Meehania cordata is a low, spreading woodland forb that blooms purple flowers in May and June and attracts bees. It grows well in part shade with medium moisture in eastern forest habitats.

Meehan's Mint (Meehania cordata)
Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

Meehan's Mint (Meehania cordata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–12" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

KY, NC, PA, TN and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Meehan's mint is a low-growing native groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and small tubular flowers in late spring. This spreading perennial forms neat mats in shaded areas and goes dormant in winter. It works well as an understory plant or in naturalized shade gardens.

Growing Meehan's Mint

Grow Meehan's Mint in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Meehan's Mint is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: foundation, mid zone.

  • Dies back completely in winter
  • May spread beyond intended boundaries

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers attract native bees and other small pollinators during its May-June bloom period.

Common questions

What kind of light does Meehania cordata need?
Meehania cordata grows best in part shade, though it can adjust to somewhat brighter or shadier spots depending on soil moisture and site conditions.
How much water does Meehania cordata need?
This plant prefers medium, evenly moist soil and struggles in prolonged drought or in soggy, waterlogged ground.
When does Meehania cordata bloom?
Meehania cordata blooms in May and June, producing small tubular purple flowers along its trailing stems.
What pollinators visit Meehania cordata?
Bees are the main visitors to Meehania cordata, working the tubular purple flowers for nectar during the spring bloom period.
What growth habit does Meehania cordata have?
Meehania cordata is a low, mat-forming herbaceous forb that spreads by stolons and roots along the forest floor as it grows.
Is Meehan's Mint HOA-friendly?
Meehan's Mint is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Meehan's Mint? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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