Virginia Mountain-mint

Virginia Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum

A highly aromatic native perennial known for its clusters of small white flowers and fragrant mint-scented foliage. Blooming from mid to late summer, the dense flower clusters are surrounded by silvery bracts that give the plant a soft, shimmering appearance. When brushed or crushed, the leaves release a strong minty fragrance that attracts pollinators and repels some herbivores.

Virginia Mountain Mint is one of the most valuable native plants for pollinators, drawing an incredible diversity of bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, and beneficial insects. Its upright clumps add structure and texture to prairies, meadows, and pollinator gardens while supporting a wide range of wildlife.

Growing Conditions

• Height: 2–3 ft
• Spread: Spreading by rhizomes, forming colonies
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Dry to medium moisture; tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils
• Hardiness: Zone 3–8
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Drought tolerant once established
• Deer resistant

Ideal for pollinator gardens, prairies, meadows, and naturalized landscapes where beneficial insects and ecological diversity are desired.

Ecological Value

• One of the best native plants for pollinator diversity
• Provides nectar for bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, and beetles
• Supports beneficial predatory insects that help control pests
• Contributes to biodiversity in meadow and prairie ecosystems

Larval Host Plant For

• Gray Hairstreak Butterfly (Strymon melinus)
• Several native moth species associated with mint family plants

Companion Species

• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)
• Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida)
• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Grey Headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive
Origin Native Plants

Photo Credit: Carl-Adam Wegenschimmel

3.5 inch Pots