Pycnanthemum californicum, commonly known as Sierra Mint, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb that thrives in the chaparral and oak woodlands of California, particularly in the Sierra Nevada range. It typically grows erect to a height of 0.5–1 meter (1.6–3.3 ft). Sierra Mint is characterized by its hairless to fuzzy, aromatic herbage, which releases a pleasant minty fragrance when crushed. The leaves are oppositely arranged, lance-shaped to nearly oval, and each is a few centimeters long. During the bloom period from June through September, it produces inflorescences in clusters above each upper pair of leaves. The flowers are particularly attractive, with a whitish upper lip and a purplish lower lip, sometimes adorned with spots, though they are not as showy as some other ornamental species.

Sierra Mint is valued for its aromatic foliage and the subtle beauty of its flowers. It is often used in native plant gardens, as a border planting, or for natural landscaping. It is also appreciated for its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. In cultivation, Sierra Mint prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium to high amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is not known for significant disease problems, it can spread readily by rhizomes, which should be considered when planting in smaller garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0