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(Poliomintha incana)
Frosted Mint (Poliomintha incana)
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Nolan Exe
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Nolan Exe
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Nolan Exe | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Nolan Exe | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-06-12T12:40:17-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Poliomintha incana, commonly known as Frosted Mint, is a deciduous subshrub or shrub native to arid regions, including desert scrub, grasslands, and chaparral in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is recognized for its aromatic qualities. Typically, it grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) with a similar spread. The plant’s foliage is a dark green, covered in fine white hairs that give it a frosted appearance. During the late spring to early summer, Frosted Mint produces an abundance of fuzzy, tubular flowers in light purple and blue with tiny purple spots, which are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Frosted Mint is valued for its fragrant foliage and attractive flowers, making it a popular choice for sensory gardens and xeriscaping. It is also used in traditional medicine and culinary practices by Native American groups, particularly the Tewa and Hopi, for its flavoring properties. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, requiring minimal water once established. It adapts to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.CC BY-SA 4.0
Frosted Mint is valued for its fragrant foliage and attractive flowers, making it a popular choice for sensory gardens and xeriscaping. It is also used in traditional medicine and culinary practices by Native American groups, particularly the Tewa and Hopi, for its flavoring properties. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, requiring minimal water once established. It adapts to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub, Shrub
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 2-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Arid regions, including desert scrub, grasslands, and chaparral
Other Names
Common Names: Hoary Rosemarymint, Rosemary Mint
Scientific Names: , Poliomintha incana, Hedeoma incana, Polionintha incana,
GBIF Accepted Name: Poliomintha incana (Torr.) A.Gray