Mountain Mint Uses and Varieties Rank Best for Pollinators

We had no idea just how challenging it was going to be correctly identify the different varieties of mountain mint. So if you see any discrepancies in names versus photos or information, please do let us know so that we can quickly correct it.

Our ancestors and ancients named many of these plants by description. They used them for cooking and remedies without ever knowing the scientific names, and sometimes even before it may have been assigned a unique botanical name.

The Challenge of Common Names and Many Varieties

For example, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint,” “Slim Leaf Mountain Mint,” and “Long Leaved Mountain Mint” are all common names that have been used to refer to Pycnanthemum tenuifolium. It’s characterized by its narrow, slender leaves, which likely gave rise to various common names.

E.g., “Son, go pick me some of that slim leaf mint to make tea for your sisters upset tummy.”

Common names for plants can sometimes be regional or colloquial and may vary from place to place, leading to a single species having several different common names. This is one of the reasons why botanical names, which are standardized and internationally recognized, are so important in accurately identifying plants.

To further complicate different matters, sometimes different species can also share similar common names, which can lead to confusion. For this reason, when you are looking for specific plant information or purchasing plants, it’s always a good idea to verify the botanical name to ensure you’re getting the correct species.

A Literal Return to Our Roots

As civilization moved away from our “roots”, where plant lore was second nature, most of us have lost (or actually, never grew up knowing) that connection. Now, as many of us are returning increasingly toward rediscovering the rich heritage of plant medicine, the scientific names help us in properly identifying plants and then learning about them.

Mountain Mint – an Intensely Flavorful Mint

Mountain mint is an intensely flavorful plant whose blossoms rate best results in attracting garden friendly pollinators. Favored amongst gardeners, herbalists, and nature enthusiasts, this member of the Lamiaceae family is one of the best mint plants to grow for flavor and for your yard and garden ecosystem.

Culinary Uses

Just like other types of mint, potent mint has numerous culinary uses. The leaves are often used to make teas, refreshing smoothies and as garnish for cocktails and other beverages. The fresh, minty flavor can provide a refreshing twist to salads, soups, and desserts and is also popular for making jelly.

Medicinal Uses

Mountain mint has traditionally been used for its medicinal properties. It contains pulegone, which is a potent antiseptic. The plant has been used for treating colds and flu, as it may help to clear congestion and soothe sore throats.

It’s also been used for digestive issues, as the mint can help to soothe upset stomachs and reduce gas. Additionally, mountain mint may also have mild sedative properties, potentially aiding in sleep or relaxation.

Ecological Uses

Mountain mint is great for attracting pollinators. Its blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This makes it an excellent addition to gardens designed to support local ecosystems.

Mountain Mint Ranks Highest in Penn State Pollinator Study 2013

The Penn State Pollinator Trial^[1]https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/lancaster/pollinator-friendly-garden-certification/pollinator-trial-results-2013 is an extensive research project that evaluates various plant species for their attractiveness to pollinators. In 2013, some mountain mint varieties were amongst the top performers in multiple categories.

STUDY SHOWS MOUNTAIN MINT TO BE MOST VISITED BY:

Pollinators (cumulative visits): Short-toothed Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) was among the top plants visited by all types of pollinators, showing its broad appeal.
Bees: Short-toothed Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) again ranked highly in this category, indicating that it is particularly attractive to bees.
Butterflies: Cluster Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) performed well in this category, attracting a high number of butterflies.
Beneficial Wasps: Short-toothed Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) was found to be highly attractive to beneficial wasps, insects that help control pest populations.
Other Beneficial Insects: Mountain mints as a group performed well in this category, attracting a range of beneficial insects, such as hoverflies and lacewings, that provide natural pest control.

These results confirm that mountain mint is a valuable addition to gardens designed to attract and support pollinators, which contribute significantly to your yard and garden ecosystems.^[2]https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/lancaster/pollinator-friendly-garden-certification/pollinator-trial-results-2013

Differences from Other Mints

While mountain mint shares many properties with other common garden mints, there are some notable differences. For instance, while most mints are known for their invasiveness, some varieties of mountain mint are more controlled, making them easier to incorporate into a garden without them taking over.

Furthermore, mountain mints tend to have a slightly different aroma and taste compared to other mints. While they still have the characteristic minty freshness, it is often described as being somewhat sharper and more intense. This can make mountain mint a great choice for those who want a stronger mint flavor in their dishes or herbal teas.

Mountain mint also stands out in its attraction to pollinators. While many mints do attract bees and butterflies, mountain mints are particularly appealing to a wide range of pollinators. This, combined with their often showy flowers, makes them a particularly valuable addition to pollinator gardens.

Finally, mountain mints are typically more tolerant of a variety of soil conditions than some other mints, that prefer rich, moist soils. This can make it a better choice for gardeners dealing with difficult soil conditions.

Mountain mints are a popular choice for gardeners and herb enthusiasts, loved for their fragrant foliage, lovely flowers, and appealing to various pollinators. There are around 20 varieties of mountain mint with the narrow leaf and Virginia mountain mints as most often cited as the generic “mountain mint”.

The 10 Most Popular Mountain Mint Varieties

EDITOR’S NOTE: Just as information was hard to find, accurately identified images were also hard to find for some of the plants, and some did not have a source to tribute, (or it was lost in the confusion!). So again, if you note any discrepancies, please do send us a message so we can fix it right away.

The Meaning of the Scientific Names of These Mountain Mint Varieties

Pycnanthemum, the genus name of these Mountain Mints, comes from the Greek words ‘pyknos’ meaning dense, and ‘anthemon’ meaning flower, referencing the densely packed clusters of flowers these species produce.

Here’s an abbreviated list of these varieties with more expanded information following that should you wish for more.

Appalachian Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum) – ‘Flexuosum’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘bending’ or ‘curvy,’ thought to refer to the flexibility of the plants stems, or else the pleasingly curved shape of its leaves.
Beadle’s Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum beadlei) – Named after Beadle, an American botanist, who is recognized for his work in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Broadleaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum latifolium) – ‘Latifolium’ is derived from the Latin words ‘latus’ meaning ‘wide,’ and ‘folium’ meaning ‘leaf,’ referring to the broad leaves of this variety.
Cluster Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) – ‘Muticum’ comes from the Latin word ‘muticus’ meaning ‘blunt’ or ‘truncated,’ potentially referring to the shape of the leaves or flowers.
Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum pilosum) – ‘Pilosum’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pilosus’ meaning ‘hairy,’ referring to the hairy leaves and stems of this variety.
Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) – ‘Incanum’ is derived from the Latin word ‘incanus’ meaning ‘gray’ or ‘hoary,’ referring to the grayish appearance of this plant due to its hairy leaves and stems.
THESE NEXT TWO MAY BE THE SAME PLANT:
Long-leaved Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum longifolium) – ‘Longifolium’ comes from the Latin words ‘longus’ meaning ‘long,’ and ‘folium’ meaning ‘leaf,’ referencing the long leaves of this variety.
Narrowleaf (aka Slender Leaf) Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) – ‘Tenuifolium’ comes from the Latin words ‘tenuis’ meaning ‘thin’ or ‘slender,’ and ‘folium’ meaning ‘leaf,’ referencing the narrow leaves of this variety.
Short Toothed (aka Wild Basil) Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum clinopodioides) – ‘Clinopodioides’ refers to the resemblance to the Clinopodium genus, or ‘wild basil.’
Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) – ‘Virginianum’ refers to Virginia, the state where this variety was first recorded.

And below is some expanded information on this list of the top 10 mountain mint varieties in North America.

Mountain Mint Features and General Growing Information

Appalachian Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum)

Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Bloom Time: June to September
Harvest Time: Late summer
Sun: Full to partial
Water: Moderate
Soil: Well-drained, can tolerate a variety of soil types
Invasive: Can be moderately aggressive if not controlled

The Appalachian Mountain Mint is a native North American perennial that typically grows up to 3 feet tall. The plant produces clusters of white flowers in a unique spikey ball shape. that have a speckling of purple spots, attracting a variety of pollinators throughout the blooming season.