Southern Mountainmint
Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides
Last reviewed: August 2026
Southern Mountainmint is a fragrant forb often found in open woodlands, woodland edges, and meadows through the Appalachian region, blooming with small white flowers from July through September.
Toxicity unknown
Southern Mountainmint (Pycnanthemum pycnanthemoides) 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
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, GA, IL, IN and 6 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, wasps
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Southern mountainmint is a hardy native perennial that forms neat clumps of aromatic foliage topped with clusters of small white flowers. The silvery-white bracts surrounding the flower clusters create an attractive display from summer through fall. This drought-tolerant plant maintains a tidy, upright growth habit that works well in formal garden settings.
Growing Southern Mountainmint
Grow Southern Mountainmint in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Southern Mountainmint is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- May spread gradually by rhizomes if not managed
Wildlife value
This plant is exceptionally valuable for pollinators, attracting numerous species of native bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps. The long blooming period provides nectar throughout the peak pollinator season.
Common questions
- When does Southern Mountainmint bloom?
- Southern Mountainmint typically flowers from July through September, producing clusters of small white blooms with light purple speckling.
- What growing conditions does Southern Mountainmint prefer?
- It grows best in full sun to part shade with medium moisture, though established plants can handle drier soil once rooted in.
- What pollinators visit Southern Mountainmint?
- Bees, butterflies, and wasps regularly visit the flowers, drawn to the abundant nectar produced during its summer bloom period.
- Does Southern Mountainmint have fragrant foliage?
- Yes, like other members of the Pycnanthemum genus, its leaves release a strong minty scent when crushed or brushed against.
- Is Southern Mountainmint HOA-friendly?
- Southern Mountainmint 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Southern Mountainmint? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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