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Native Plant Society of Texas

Blunt Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Other common name(s):

Clustered Mountainmint

Family:

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2
to
3
ft.

Spread

2
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Drought tolerant. Although it likes shade, best flowering occurs in full sun. Spreads by rhizomes but doesn’t compete with other plants. When planted in groups or massed, the silvery bracts give the entire planting the appearance of being dusted by a white powdery snow. Good for butterfly gardens. Native habitat: grassy open places, meadows, fields, low woodland areas and occasionally in dry upland woods. Propagation: seed, division.

Comments

Blooms July-September. A clump forming, aromatic plant. Stems are short, hairy, branched mainly above. Leaves are oblong, smooth, with a few low teeth. Leaves below the flower heads are smaller and wider, velvety above, smooth beneath. Pink two-lipped, tubular flowers are clustered in dense heads. Silvery leaf-like bracts are located near the base of the cluster. The fruit is a nutlet.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Koellia mutica

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump division Division Early spring or fall, when the plant is dormant or just starting new growth, offers the best chance of success. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were originally growing, water them well,. Carefully dig up the entire plant, ensuring you get a good root mass. Use a sharp, clean knife or garden spade to divide the clump into sections, each with a healthy amount of roots and shoots. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-pycnanthemum-muticum/?print=print#:~:text=How:%20*%20Carefully%20dig%20up%20the%20entire,water%20them%20well%2C%20and%20watch%20them%20flourish!
Stem Cutting Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 sets at the top. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional but recommended). Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix, moisten the soil, and cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. After a few weeks, gently tug on the cuttings – resistance means roots have formed. Sow seeds on the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix and lightly press them down. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings should emerge in 10-14 days. Once they have a couple of sets of true leaves, you can transplant them into individual pots or directly into the garden. ate spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing is the ideal time to take cuttings. Select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a 4-6 inch section just below a leaf node. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-pycnanthemum-muticum/?print=print#:~:text=How:%20*%20Carefully%20dig%20up%20the%20entire,water%20them%20well%2C%20and%20watch%20them%20flourish!
Seed No Treatment Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-pycnanthemum-muticum/?print=print#:~:text=How:%20*%20Carefully%20dig%20up%20the%20entire,water%20them%20well%2C%20and%20watch%20them%20flourish!

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason