10/29/2024
Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) is a plant in the mint family I found in the native tallgrass prairies of Leavenworth County, where I have had the privilege of wandering the past several years.
As I was moving plants inside the greenhouse for the upcoming winter months, I decided to cut back these plants, wash, and dry the leaves for an herbal tea. I hadn't tried it, but heard it is quite good. AND, it is pretty wonderful in my opinion. A light-colored tea with a mild, lemony-mint flavor. That's what my taste buds picked up anyway. Anyone else ever try this as a hot tea?
Slender Mountain Mint grows in colonies over time spreading by rhizomes. It wouldn't be a good choice for those with small garden spaces, BUT I was reading that it has been planted in pots to use during the growing season. Makes sense, as this mint will grow quickly and a person could clip cuttings for tea right from their front porch while containing it in a large pot.
This plant has been used by Native Americans for teas and as a seasoning, which was once called American Wild Basil because it was used so widely. Additionally, it was used medicinally as a poultice for quite a few illnesses, including indigestion, colds, coughs, colic, and more. As always, any edible plant can cause an allergic reaction in certain folks, so just keep that in mind.
The cool thing about planting Slender Mountain Mint, whether in larger garden spaces or in a patio pot, not only can you harvest leaves for tea, the flowers will draw tons of pollinators. These include beetles, butterflies, skippers, moths, native bees, and beneficial flies and wasps. Many utilize this plant as their host such as the Regal Fritillary, Delaware Skipper, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Hermit Sphinx, Curved Tooth Geometer, To***co Budworm Moth, and Gray Hairstreak Butterfly. It can also repel mosquitoes according to several websites by rubbing the leaves on the skin, so that could be worth a try.
Just wanted to share! We really do learn something new everyday!
P.S. I'll be overwintering these plants in 2.5" pots leftover from this past season. They'll hopefully be ready next spring if everything goes okay the upcoming colder months.
Take good care, everyone!π