Whorled Mountain-mint
Pycnanthemum verticillatum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Pycnanthemum verticillatum (Whorled Mountain-mint) is a native perennial forb blooming July through September across eastern and central United States. This aromatic mint family plant attracts bees, butterflies, and wasps with its small white flowers arranged in distinctive whorled clusters.
Toxicity unknown
Whorled Mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum verticillatum) 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
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CT, GA and 21 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, wasps
Deer
Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)
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 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Whorled mountain-mint is a fragrant native perennial with aromatic foliage and small white flowers clustered at the stem tips. It forms neat clumps and blooms from July through September, creating a tidy appearance in the garden. The silvery-white flower clusters provide long-lasting color and interesting texture.
Growing Whorled Mountain-mint
Grow Whorled Mountain-mint in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 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
Whorled Mountain-mint 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 underground stems
Wildlife value
This plant is a pollinator magnet, attracting numerous bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps throughout its long bloom period. The dense flower clusters provide excellent nectar sources during late summer when many other plants have finished flowering.
Common questions
- When does Whorled Mountain-mint bloom?
- Pycnanthemum verticillatum blooms from July through September, producing small white flowers in dense, whorled clusters at the stem tips.
- What pollinators visit Whorled Mountain-mint?
- Whorled Mountain-mint attracts a variety of beneficial insects including native bees, butterflies, and wasps. The small tubular flowers provide easily accessible nectar and pollen.
- Where is Pycnanthemum verticillatum native?
- Whorled Mountain-mint is native to much of eastern and central North America, from New England south to Georgia and Alabama, and west to Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas.
- What growing conditions does Whorled Mountain-mint prefer?
- This adaptable native plant thrives in full sun to partial sun and tolerates a wide range of moisture conditions from wet to dry soils, making it useful for various garden situations.
- Is Whorled Mountain-mint HOA-friendly?
- Whorled Mountain-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.
Ready to grow Whorled Mountain-mint? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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