American Mountain Mint [Pycnanthemum pilosum]

The perennial American mountain mint is an old, hardy herb and medicinal plant for dry and moist soils. Leaves exude an intense mint aroma. Antispasmodic and relaxing medicinal effect. Used as a dessert, spice, tea and toothpaste, good bee pasture. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the flowers and leaves.

 Description 
American mountain mint is a perennial woody semi-shrub and is still a very unknown medicinal and aromatic plant in Europe. This original species is also known as hairy mountain mint. The vigorously growing, bushy and clump-forming plant originally comes from eastern and central North America. It grows wild along paths in sparse forests and open grassland. Its flavour is highly aromatic! With relatively long, narrow and finely hairy leaves, it exudes an intense mint flavour. Ideal for teas and as a spice! The late light purple-flowering mountain mint is a versatile and excellent bee pasture. This hardy garden perennial thrives in both dry and moist, heavy soils and prefers mineral soil. The medicinal plant is known in folk medicine as an aromatic tea plant and is used as a digestive and diuretic spice. It has an antispasmodic and relaxing effect.

 General information 
Plant family: Lamiaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 80 cm
Root type: Deep rooter, runner-forming
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -28°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich sandy loam soil

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 10-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 50x60 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Cabbage, Wine, Apple, Pear, Tomato, Walnut, Potato
Unfavorable mixed culture: Mint

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing from January to April or in autumn from October to December. The plants should ideally be in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from March to May is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
American mountain mint prefers a permeable, nutrient-rich, moderately dry to slightly moist, sandy and humus-rich loamy soil. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Keeping the plants in pots is possible and often recommended to prevent them from spreading through root runners. Forms underground runners. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or root runners.

 Plant care 
It is advisable to cut the plants back at the beginning of the year. If natural spreading is not desired, the underground roots can be cut with a spade in the spring. During long dry periods, it is advisable to give the plants extra water. Fertilizer is only necessary for potted plants.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Pycnanthemum pilosum
English names: American mint, Mountain mint
German names: Amerikanische Minze, Amerikanische Bergminze, Behaarte Scheinbergminze, Behaarte Bergminze, Quirlierte Bergminze
Portuguese names: Hortelã americana
Spanish names: Menta americana
French names: Menthe américaine

 Origin 
Country: Portugal