LEMON MINT
Summary
Lemon mint is readily recognized by its characteristic lemony -citrus scent, its verticils of showy flowers subtended by whitish to pale lavender bracts, and it two lipped corollas with white and pink petals with white spots. Lemon mint can be found across Arkansas to northern Mexico in a variety of sandy, clay loam soils.
It often grows in large clumps and is occasionally browsed by white tailed deer and when abundant, it provides limited cover for bobwhite quail and small mammals. Native Americans and settlers used it to make teas and a general tonic for colds.
Plant Characteristics
Taxonomy
Zone
- Regional Growing Zone
- 1 - Northwest Coastal, 5 - Midwest, 6 - Northeast Lakes, 9 - Southeast, 10 - South Florida, 11 - South Texas, 12 - Southwest
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Temperature Zone
- Warm, Cool, Transitional
Plant Characteristics
- Height
- 12" - 31"
- Bloom Period
- Late-Spring - Summer
- Bloom Color
- Purple
- Bloom Description
tuft-like, lavender to pink, whorled flower heads
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Growing Cycle
- Annual
- Sun Requirement
- Full Sun, Partial Sun
Plant Information
- Planting Season
- Fall - Winter
- Plant Depth
- .25"
- Establishment
- Easy
Seed Information
- Seeds Per Pound
- 819,000
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Tracheobionta
- Super Division
- Spermatophyta
- Division
- Magnoliophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Subclass
- Asteridae
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Lamaiceae martinov
- Genus
- Monarda
- Species
- Monarda citriodora
Coverage Area & Available Sizes
Applications
Many pollinators visit this aromatic wildflower, it is especially popular with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Lemon Mint readily reseeds when allowed to go to seed before mowing. When planted in large colonies, it creates a stunning visual and fragrant display. Deer resistant.
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