Description

Field mint is one of a relatively small number of California native plants that has a wide distribution outside the state. It grows near water sources in much of the contiguous US and into Canada and Alaska. It grows as an upright, somewhat sprawling little perennial. The textured opposite leaves are bright green and fragrant. The flowers appear in little whorls at the base of the leaves of the flowering stem. This will remind you of culinary mint in appearance, which is also in the Mentha genus. In fact, our little field mint can be used for many of the same culinary purposes. Plant this hardy mint in a sunny site which receives regular water. Like many plants of the mint family, field mint will die back somewhat at the end of summer, only to grow robustly in the late winter and spring.