Dutton's Mint Plant Care
Acanthomintha duttonii (Abrams) Jokerst
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Acanthomintha duttonii is a species of annual plant endemic to San Mateo County, California in the family Lamiaceae. It is commonly called San Mateo thornmint and is found growing on serpentine soils near the Crystal Springs Reservoir in a six-mile (10 km) long strip on the east side of Montara Mountain at elevations of approximately 150 to 300 meters.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Dutton's Mint?
Plant Dutton's Mint in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Dutton's Mint Native To?
What Is the Dutton's Mint?
Dutton's Mint (Acanthomintha duttonii) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Acanthomintha genus. Dutton's Mint is native to San Mateo County, California in the family Lamiaceae. Dutton's Mint is also known as San Bruno Mint.
Dutton's Mint displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Dutton's Mint produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
What Light Does the Dutton's Mint Need?
Dutton's Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dutton's Mint?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Dutton's Mint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Dutton's Mint?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Dutton's Mint?
Prune Dutton's Mint while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Dutton's Mint in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Dutton's Mint?
Dutton's Mint can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thornmint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dutton's Mint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dutton's Mint, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Dutton's Mint?
Dutton's Mint is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Dutton's Mint is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Acanthomintha genus — compare its care with other Acanthomintha species on PlantoScan.
Acanthomintha is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Dutton's Mint thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Acanthomintha duttonii (Abrams) Jokerst, family Lamiaceae (first published in Madroño 38: 278 (1991)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dutton's Mint, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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