Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Found in open woodlands and moist thickets, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint has an airy appearance and sweet minty smell. Clusters of white tubular flowers attract a variety of pollinators including butterflies, honeybees, sweat bees, and other native bees through summer. Flowers and leaves are edible and can be used in flavorings or teas. The leaves are thin, needle-like, and grow oppositely on the stem. Due to the minty smell of the foliage, it has been used as a mosquito repellant. As with other mountain mints, this plant is deer resistant. Although not picky about soil type, it thrives in acidic soils commonly found in the southeast. Growing in soil that is wet to dry, good drainage is a must to keep this plant happy and healthy. Once established, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint is moderately drought tolerant. Plants should be given one to three feet of space to grow, and much of the growth is done during the warm season. Spreading through rhizomes, plants can be kept contained by installing hardscaping nearby or dividing the roots. Narrowleaf Mountain Mint was the NC Botanical Garden’s Wildflower of the year in 2019.