Naked Mint Bush Plant Care

Prostanthera nudula J.M.Black ex E.L.Robertson

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Prostanthera nudula, commonly known as Mount Illbillee mintbush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to South Australia. It is a shrub with branches that become spiny, narrow elliptic leaves and pale cream-coloured flowers with yellow dots inside.

🌿Shrubs🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Naked Mint Bush?

Plant Naked Mint Bush in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Naked Mint Bush Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Naked Mint Bush?

Naked Mint Bush (Prostanthera nudula) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Prostanthera genus. Naked Mint Bush is native to South Australia.

Naked Mint Bush displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Naked Mint Bush produces small, tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Naked Mint Bush?

Water a young or newly planted Naked Mint Bush every 7–14 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Naked Mint Bush Need?

Naked Mint Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Naked Mint Bush Prefer?

Prostanthera nudula tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Naked Mint Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Naked Mint Bush?

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Naked Mint Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Naked Mint Bush?

Feed Naked Mint Bush 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Naked Mint Bush?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Naked Mint Bush 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Naked Mint Bush?

Naked Mint Bush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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.

How Do You Prune a Naked Mint Bush?

Prune Naked Mint Bush 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 Naked Mint Bush in Winter?

Naked Mint Bush 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.

How Do You Propagate a Naked Mint Bush?

Naked Mint Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mint bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Naked Mint Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Naked Mint Bush, 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 Naked Mint Bush?

Naked Mint Bush 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Naked Mint Bush Need?

Naked Mint Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Naked Mint Bush is native to South Australia. In cooler regions, grow Naked Mint Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Naked Mint Bush 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 Prostanthera genus — compare its care with other Prostanthera species on PlantoScan.

Prostanthera is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.

Naked Mint Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Prostanthera Species

Other Prostanthera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Prostanthera nudula J.M.Black ex E.L.Robertson, family Lamiaceae (first published in Fl. S. Austral. , ed. 2: 946 (1957)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Naked Mint Bush, 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 12a, 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Naked Mint Bush Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species