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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)

Moist, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies

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.

Description

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
Bud 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

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason