Clare's Mint Plant Care
Pogogyne clareana J.T.Howell
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pogogyne clareana is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Santa Lucia mint. It is endemic to Monterey, California, where it is known only from about fifty occurrences all located within the bounds of Fort Hunter Liggett, a US Army training facility.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Clare's Mint?
Plant Clare's Mint in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Clare's Mint Native To?
What Is the Clare's Mint?
Clare's Mint (Pogogyne clareana) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Pogogyne genus. Clare's Mint is native to Monterey, California. Clare's Mint is also known as Clare's Pogogyne.
Clare's Mint displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Clare's Mint produces small purple flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Clare's Mint Need?
Clare's Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Clare's Mint?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Clare's Mint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Clare's Mint?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added 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 Clare's Mint?
Prune Clare'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 Clare'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 Clare's Mint?
Clare's Mint can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to abrams' mint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Clare's Mint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Clare'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 Clare's Mint?
Clare'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
Clare'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 Pogogyne genus — compare its care with other Pogogyne species on PlantoScan.
Pogogyne is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Clare'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: Pogogyne clareana J.T.Howell, family Lamiaceae (first published in Four Seasons 4(3): 22 (1973)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Clare'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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