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Virginia Mountain Mint Plant Care
Pycnanthemum virginianum (L.) B.L.Rob. & Fernald
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pycnanthemum virginianum, the Virginia or common mountain-mint, is a plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is a herbaceous plant with narrow, opposite, simple leaves, on wiry, green stems.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Virginia Mountain Mint?
Water Virginia Mountain Mint every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Virginia Mountain Mint Native To?
What Is the Virginia Mountain Mint?
Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Pycnanthemum genus. Virginia Mountain Mint is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada. Virginia Mountain Mint is also known as American Pennyroyal, Wild Mint.
Virginia Mountain Mint displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Virginia Mountain Mint produces clusters of small, tubular white or lavender flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Virginia Mountain Mint?
Pycnanthemum virginianum 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 Virginia Mountain Mint Need?
Virginia Mountain Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Virginia Mountain Mint Prefer?
Pycnanthemum virginianum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Virginia Mountain Mint prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Virginia Mountain Mint?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Virginia Mountain Mint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Virginia Mountain Mint?
Feed Virginia Mountain Mint 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 Virginia Mountain Mint?
Repot every 2-3 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 Virginia Mountain Mint?
Virginia Mountain Mint can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Virginia Mountain Mint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Virginia Mountain 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 Virginia Mountain Mint?
Virginia Mountain Mint 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 Virginia Mountain Mint Need?
Virginia Mountain Mint grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Virginia Mountain Mint is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada. In cooler regions, grow Virginia Mountain Mint as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Virginia Mountain 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 Pycnanthemum genus — compare its care with other Pycnanthemum species on PlantoScan.
Pycnanthemum is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Virginia Mountain 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: Pycnanthemum virginianum (L.) B.L.Rob. & Fernald, family Lamiaceae (first published in Manual , ed. 7: 707 (1908)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Virginia Mountain 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.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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