Tyson's Mint-bush Plant Care
Prostanthera tysoniana (Carrick) B.J.Conn
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Prostanthera tysoniana is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a small, intricately branched shrub with broadly elliptic leaves arranged in opposite pairs and white or cream-coloured flowers with purple streaks.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tyson's Mint-bush?
Plant Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush Native To?
What Is the Tyson's Mint-bush?
Tyson's Mint-bush (Prostanthera tysoniana) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Prostanthera genus. Tyson's Mint-bush is native to Western Australia.
Tyson's Mint-bush displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tyson's Mint-bush produces small, tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tyson's Mint-bush?
Water a young or newly planted Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush Need?
Tyson's Mint-bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tyson's Mint-bush Prefer?
Prostanthera tysoniana tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Tyson's Mint-bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tyson's Mint-bush?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Tyson's Mint-bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tyson's Mint-bush?
Feed Tyson's 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 Tyson's 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.
Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush?
Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush?
Prune Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush in Winter?
Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush?
Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush?
Tyson's 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 Tyson's Mint-bush Need?
Tyson's Mint-bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Tyson's Mint-bush is native to Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Tyson's Mint-bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tyson's 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.
Tyson's 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 tysoniana (Carrick) B.J.Conn, family Lamiaceae (first published in Telopea 4: 650 (1992)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tyson's 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.
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