American Dittany Plant Care

American Dittany (Cunila origanoides) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Cunila genus. American Dittany is native to the central and eastern United States. American Dittany is also known as Hairy Dittany, Pennyroyal.

American Dittany displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. American Dittany produces small clusters of lavender to purple tubular flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted American Dittany every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

American Dittany thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cunila origanoides tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. American Dittany prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for American Dittany to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed American Dittany every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

American Dittany is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

American Dittany can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune American Dittany 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.

American Dittany is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

American Dittany can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

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American Dittany is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

American Dittany grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. American Dittany is native to the central and eastern United States. In cooler regions, grow American Dittany as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.