Wild Mint
Mentha arvensis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Labrador, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
Ivar Leidus
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Mentha
- Species:
- Mentha arvensis
- USDA Symbol:
- MEAR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, lilac, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
aeroplane looper moth (Diachrysia aereoides), Hermit sphinx (Sphinx eremitus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius) Butterflies:Cabbage White (Pieris rapae), Common Ringlet (North America) (Coenonympha california), Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala), Crescents (Phyciodes Hübner), Great Spangled Fritillary (Argynnis cybele), Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), ⚠️Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Peck's Skipper (Polites coras), Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Gesta Evans)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in wetlands and along streams
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; surface sow on moist soil and keep warm.
Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)