Species › Plants › Wild Mint

Wild Mint

Mentha arvensis

CommonPlant
Illustration of Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis)

Wild Mint is a strongly fragrant native perennial of moist meadows and stream banks across North America, with square stems and whorls of small lavender flowers. It spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes in wet areas. Its flowers attract many small bees, wasps, and butterflies. The leaves were widely used by indigenous peoples for tea and flavoring.

Habitat
Moist meadows, stream banks, and wetland edges across North America
Diet
Nectar for small native bees, wasps, and skipper butterflies
How common
Common

Best time to see a Wild Mint

The best time to see a Wild Mint is July–August, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,383 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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