Short Toothed Mountain Mint

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

North American native plants are great choices for attracting beneficial pollinators and other wildlife to your garden. Short Toothed Mountain Mint is a lesser known native perennial that will not only attract loads of native bees and other pollinators, it has a beautiful display of tiny pink flowers highlighted by large silvery white bracts. Even though this plant is used for its minty scent and flavored leaves, it does not have the invasive growth tendency as a true Mentha plant.

The medium size and silvery green foliage of Short Toothed Mountain Mint make it a great contrast to other darker leaves plants in the garden. Since Mountain Mint has a relatively long bloom period, from July to September, this perennial would work as a single specimen plant in a smaller garden. Mountain Mint is best when used to naturalize a large area. The plant multiplies by underground rhizomes that need space to spread. Mountain Mint also works as a Rain Garden plant placed in zone 1 or 2.

Short Toothed Mountain Mint Care

Short Toothed Mountain Mint prefers a sunny to partly shady site that has well draining soil. It will tolerate boggy soils and adapt to drier, droughty soils. The key to making this native more drought tolerant is consistent and deep watering while it is young. This will force the roots to grow deeper to find moisture. Mulching with organic compost or leaves also helps soils to retain more moisture over time.

Pruning back of Mountain Mint should not be done until the early spring. Wildlife will use this perennial for shelter during the winter. Remove the previous years’ growth as the new growth emerges. Fertilizing should not be required. Dividing and replanting every 3-4 years will keep Short Toothed Mountain Mint growing and blooming vigorously.

Short Toothed Mountain Mint Spacing

Short Toothed Mountain Mint has a naturally short and compact growth habit. The mature height and width is 24-36 inches. Spacing the plants at 30 inches on center is recommended.