Smokey Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum × incanum ‘Smokey Mountain Mint’

Nature Hills Nursery

Silvery-White Flower Clouds Attract Pollinators All Summer Long
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 2-3 ft Tall and Wide
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies
Sweetly Fragrant Flowers

$33⁶⁴

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant this mint in a spot receiving full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it handles partial shade well, more sun encourages stronger stems that won’t flop over and intensifies the silvery appearance of the bracts.
Soil: This plant adapts to most average garden soils but thrives best in loose, well-draining earth. If you are digging into heavy clay, mix in some compost to improve drainage so the roots do not sit in water during winter.

Watering Requirements

During the first season, water deeply once a week to help the roots establish, checking often during hot spells. Once established, Smokey Mountain Mint is impressively drought tolerant, though occasional watering during dry periods keeps the foliage lush and prevents wilting.

Pruning Tips

Since this plant blooms on new growth, you should clean up any dead stems from the previous year in early spring before new shoots emerge. For a bushier, more compact habit, you can pinch back the tips of the stems by one-third in late spring. This technique, often called the "Chelsea Chop," encourages branching and increases the number of silvery bracts later in the season.

Fertilizer Needs

Native plants like this generally do not require heavy feeding and often do best with just a top dressing of compost in the spring. If you choose to use a granular fertilizer, apply a balanced, slow-release formula early in the season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they fuel rapid, weak growth that causes the plant to flop over rather than producing flowers.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	2-3 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Pycnanthemum × incanum ‘Smokey Mountain Mint’
Species	x incanum
Cultivar	Smokey Mountain Mint
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Looking for a pollinator magnet with a refreshing twist? Smokey Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum × incanum 'Smokey Mountain Mint') is a hardy perennial with clouds of silvery-white flower clusters that shimmer above aromatic foliage. Blooming from mid to late summer, this fragrant plant fills the garden with a fresh, minty scent while drawing in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects!

This hybrid Mint features upright stems clothed in lance-shaped, gray-green leaves covered with a powdery, silvery cast - giving the plant its "smokey" look. The dense clusters of tiny, white to pale lavender blooms top the stems, adding softness and sparkle to summer landscapes. Its minty foliage is not only aromatic but also deer and rabbit-resistant, making it a tough, no-fuss choice.

Key Features

Native to the Eastern United States, Mountain Mints have a long history of herbal and medicinal use by Indigenous peoples for teas and remedies.

Hardy perennial with silvery-white flower clusters
Minty fragrant foliage, deer and rabbit-resistant
Blooms from mid to late summer
Attracts butterflies, bees, and pollinators
Upright, clumping form 2-3 feet tall and wide
Native hybrid with strong ecological benefits

Landscaping Uses

Smokey Mountain Mint is perfect for pollinator gardens, naturalized borders, or meadow-style plantings. Its size makes it an excellent middle-layer perennial in layered beds. A member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family, it's closely related to culinary mints, Bee Balm, and other pollinator favorites. With its resilience and beauty, this perennial bridges ornamental appeal with ecological value. At 2-3 feet tall and wide, it's just the right size for borders, pollinator gardens, or naturalized plantings.

Pollinator and butterfly gardens
Naturalized borders and prairie plantings
Mixed perennial beds with Bee Balm, Russian Sage, or Echinacea
Herb gardens for fragrance and texture
Deer and rabbit-resistant plantings

Care & Maintenance

Smokey Mountain Mint thrives in USDA zones 4-9. This herbaceous perennial is sun-loving, adaptable, and highly resilient, making it one of the easiest native plants to grow. Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal root support.

Planting Time - Spring or fall for best establishment
Sun Requirements - Full sun to part shade
Soil Requirements - Average, well-drained soils - tolerant of clay, loam, and poor soils
Moisture Needs - Moderate moisture; use the Finger Test to check soil. New plants need regular moisture in their first year.
Mulch - Apply a 3-4 inch layer of Arborist mulch to conserve moisture and insulate roots.
Fertilization Needs - Low; occasional compost in spring is plenty
Pruning Info - Cut back to the ground in late fall or early spring; deadheading not required
Division Info - Can be divided every 3-4 years in spring or fall to rejuvenate growth
Special Perks - Deer and rabbit-resistant, attracts pollinators, drought-tolerant once established, low maintenance, tolerant of clay and urban soils

A Minty-Fresh Garden Must-Have

With its shimmering foliage, aromatic leaves, and pollinator-pleasing blooms, Smokey Mountain Mint is a breath of fresh air for your garden. Its toughness, beauty, and ecological benefits make it a true standout. Order your Smokey Mountain Mint today and start attracting butterflies, bees, and beneficial pollinators from naturehills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Smokey Mountain Mint spread aggressively like other mints?

Smokey Mountain Mint forms well-behaved clumps 2-3 feet tall and wide rather than spreading aggressively like culinary mints. This hybrid mountain mint stays put in your garden borders and pollinator plantings. Plant it confidently in mixed perennial beds without worry of it taking over.

What are the sunlight requirements for Smokey Mountain Mint?

Smokey Mountain Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This hardy perennial performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily but tolerates some afternoon shade in hot climates. Plant in well-draining soil for optimal growth and flowering from mid to late summer.

What type of soil does Smokey Mountain Mint prefer?

Smokey Mountain Mint thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates a wide range of conditions from average to poor soils. This hardy native hybrid is quite adaptable and doesn't require rich, fertile ground to perform well. Plant it in full sun to partial shade for best results.

How much water does Smokey Mountain Mint need after establishment?

Smokey Mountain Mint is drought tolerant once established and requires minimal watering. This hardy perennial thrives with occasional deep watering during extended dry spells. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root development.

Is Smokey Mountain Mint deer and rabbit resistant?

Yes, Smokey Mountain Mint is both deer and rabbit resistant thanks to its aromatic minty foliage. This makes it an excellent no-fuss choice for problem areas where browsing animals are common. Plant it in mixed borders or naturalized areas for a tough, fragrant perennial available at naturehills.com.

When does Smokey Mountain Mint bloom, and what color are the flowers?

Smokey Mountain Mint blooms from mid to late summer with dense clusters of tiny white to pale lavender flowers. The silvery-white flower clusters create a shimmering effect above the aromatic gray-green foliage. For best blooms, plant in full sun where the flowers will attract maximum pollinators.

How is Smokey Mountain Mint shipped—bare root, potted, or plugs?

Smokey Mountain Mint ships as established plants in containers, not bare root or plugs. This hardy perennial arrives ready to plant and establish quickly in your garden. Plant in spring or fall for best results.

What is the best time of year to plant Smokey Mountain Mint?

Plant Smokey Mountain Mint in spring after the last frost or in early fall, 6-8 weeks before your first hard freeze. This hardy perennial establishes best in cooler weather when it can focus energy on root development rather than blooming. Space plants 2-3 feet apart to accommodate its mature spread.

Does Smokey Mountain Mint require winter protection or mulching?

Smokey Mountain Mint is a hardy perennial that typically doesn't require winter protection in most climates. As a native hybrid, it's naturally adapted to handle cold temperatures. A light layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, but isn't necessary for winter survival.

Smokey Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum × incanum ‘Smokey Mountain Mint’