False Pennyroyal Plant Care
Monarda clinopodioides A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Monarda clinopodioides, common name basil beebalm, is a plant species native to Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for False Pennyroyal?
Water False Pennyroyal every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the False Pennyroyal Native To?
What Is the False Pennyroyal?
False Pennyroyal (Monarda clinopodioides) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Monarda genus. False Pennyroyal is native to Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. False Pennyroyal is also known as Field Mint, Basil Balm.
False Pennyroyal displays an upright, clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. False Pennyroyal produces showy tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a False Pennyroyal?
Monarda clinopodioides requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the False Pennyroyal Need?
False Pennyroyal thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the False Pennyroyal Prefer?
Monarda clinopodioides grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. False Pennyroyal prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a False Pennyroyal?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for False Pennyroyal to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a False Pennyroyal?
Feed False Pennyroyal every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a False Pennyroyal?
Divide every 3-4 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a False Pennyroyal?
False Pennyroyal can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bee balm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the False Pennyroyal Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list False Pennyroyal, 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 False Pennyroyal?
False Pennyroyal is susceptible to powdery mildew, spider mites, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the False Pennyroyal Need?
False Pennyroyal grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. False Pennyroyal is native to Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. In cooler regions, grow False Pennyroyal as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
False Pennyroyal 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 Monarda genus — compare its care with other Monarda species on PlantoScan.
Monarda is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
False Pennyroyal thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Monarda Species
Other Monarda species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Monarda clinopodioides A.Gray, family Lamiaceae (first published in Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 375 (1878)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list False Pennyroyal, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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