Calamintha nepeta spp. nepeta ~ Lesser Calamint

Calamintha nepeta spp. nepeta ~ Lesser CalamintLesser Calamint is a compact spreading perennial with small green foliage that has a strong lemon mint scent. Huge amounts of tiny, white flowers bloom on spikes above the foliage in early summer until fall attracting butterflies, pollinators, and hummingbirds, and turn pale lavender as night time temperatures drop. Prefers sunny areas in well drained soils. Tolerates light afternoon shade, drought, and grows well in alkaline soils. Catmint used to be

Lesser Calamint is a compact spreading perennial with small green foliage that has a strong lemon-mint scent.  Huge amounts of tiny, white flowers bloom on spikes above the foliage in early summer until fall attracting butterflies, pollinators, and hummingbirds, and turn pale lavender as night-time temperatures drop.  Prefers sunny areas in well-drained soils.  Tolerates light afternoon shade, drought, and grows well in alkaline soils.

Catmint used to be used as a tea for its medical properties that helped relieve stomach aches and cramping, and insomnia.  Fresh leave poultices have also been used to lessen discoloration from bruises.*

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low maintenance. Foliage may decline in hot and humid summer climates.  Cut back after flowering to tidy the plant or prevent self-seeding.  Watch for powdery mildew.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Wildlife Gardens, Naturalized Areas, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: False Sunflower, Daylily, Daisy

IMAGES: I, KENPEI, Calamintha nepeta1, CC BY-SA 3.0, (2) I, KENPEI, Calamintha nepeta2, CC BY-SA 3.0, (3) Kurt Stüber [1], Calamintha nepeta nepeta0, CC BY-SA 3.0

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.

*ServeScape does not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.