#591 Pycnanthemum floridanum Common Names: Florida mountainmint, Florida horsemint Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae (mint Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #591

Florida mountainmint flowers cover the plants for most of the summer making this plant perfect for adding interest to sunny dry "problem" areas.

Location
There are about 20 species of mountainmints in the eastern United States. They are all pretty simmilar. Pycnanthemum floridanum, the Florida mountainmint, is restricted to northern and central Florida where it grows in sandhills and dry woods.

Culture
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Moisture: Drought tolerant.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 - 9. Possibly hardy to Zone 7 and maybe even 6.
Propagation: Easily propagated from seeds and by dividing the root stock.

The butterflies will visit often and bring their friends if you plant Florida mountainmint in your garden.

Features
This lovely mint is very popular with butterflies and various kinds of native wasps and bees (most of which do not sting). Unfortunately, it has yet to be discovered by the horticultural folks. Florida mountainmint is one of my very favorite plants. It thrives in my North Florida yard without any attention. It comes back year after year and spreads by seeds, but it is not at all aggressive. It may be difficult to find except in Florida native nurseries.

Steve Christman 11/20/99; updated 3/1/04

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