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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Pycnanthemum virginianum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Koellia virginiana.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea

Flower buds and leaves - raw or cooked. A mint-like flavour, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a condiment[61, 161, 183, 238]. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing mint-like tea[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative Analgesic Carminative Diaphoretic Febrifuge

A tea made from the leaves is alterative, diaphoretic and carminative[222, 257]. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches[222]. The tea is also used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers[222, 238, 257].The flowering stems are cut as flowering begins and they can be used fresh or dried[238]. There is a suggestion that this plant can cause abortions, so it is best not used by pregnant women[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils[1] but prefers a rich loamy soil in full sun or partial shade with plenty of moisture in the growing season[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If there are sufficient seeds they can be sown in an outdoor seedbed in April. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec (southwest), Ontario (south), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (east), Missouri, Nebraska (east & central), Oklahoma (central), South Dakota (east), Wisconsin, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia (north), Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Pycnanthemum albescens	Whiteleaf Mountain Mint	Perennial	0.5	-	LMH	SN	DM	0	1
Pycnanthemum flexuosum	Mountain Mint, Appalachian mountainmint	Perennial	1.0	4-8	LMH	SN	M	1	2
Pycnanthemum incanum	Hoary Mountain Mint	Perennial	1.0	-	LMH	SN	DM	1	2
Pycnanthemum muticum	Cluster Mountain Mint	Perennial	1.0	4-8	LMH	SN	M	1	0
Pycnanthemum pilosum	Mountain Mint, Whorled mountainmint	Perennial	1.5	4-8	LMH	SN	DM	2	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Pycnanthemum virginianum - (L.)T.Durand.&B.D.Jacks. ex B.L.Rob.&Fernald.