Order Now · Ships Spring 2026
Monarda menthifolia (mint-leaved beebalm)
Monarda menthifolia (mint-leaved beebalm)
Mint-scented leaves and soft lavender flowers for pollinators, teas and traditional herbal gardens.
📦 Shipping is charged at real carrier rates.We don’t mark up shipping—costs reflect distance from our nursery and careful plant packing.
🌱 6-plant minimum per order — mix & match any varieties
📦 Ships in a 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot — well-rooted & ready to plant
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🌿 Quick Care — Mint-Leaved Bee Balm
☀️ Sun: Full sun to partial shade
💧 Water: Regular; drought tolerant once established
🌱 Soil: Well-drained to moderately moist
❄️ Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
🐝 Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
🦌 Deer: Generally deer resistant
📏 Mature Size: ~3 ft. tall × 2 ft. wide
✂️ Pruning: Deadhead after flowering; cut back in fall or spring
🪴 Containers: Large containers possible
🌼 Golden Rule: Sun + Airflow + Consistent Moisture = Healthy Bee Balm
Mint-leaved bee balm (Monarda menthifolia) is a graceful native perennial that brings movement, fragrance, and life to the late-summer garden. Its slender green leaves release a fresh, minty aroma when brushed, while soft lavender-purple flowers rise above the foliage and glow gently as the season begins to fade.
Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, this dependable variety also stands out for its strong resistance to powdery mildew, making it a reliable choice even in warm and humid climates. Grown with care at our family nursery, it is selected for health, performance, and long-term garden success.
WHY GARDENERS LOVE MINT-LEAVED BEE BALM
- Refreshing mint-like fragrance
- Soft lavender-purple flowers
- Strong resistance to powdery mildew
- Excellent late-season pollinator plant
- Native perennial with ecological value
- Performs well in sun or partial shade
HOW IT GROWS
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Growth habit: Upright, clump-forming
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained to moderately moist
- Water: Regular; drought tolerant once established
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
- Additional traits: Native plant, deer resistant, pollinator friendly
SIZE & BLOOM
- Height × Width: ~3 ft. × 2 ft.
- Bloom time: Late summer
- Flower color: Lavender-purple
- Foliage: Green, aromatic
- Fragrance: Minty, herbal
TRADITIONAL & CULTURAL USES
Species of Monarda, including Monarda menthifolia, have long been valued in Indigenous North American traditions and later in early settler herbal practices. They were traditionally used for:
- Aromatic teas and herbal infusions
- Respiratory and soothing folk preparations
- Digestive blends
- Ceremonial and aromatic purposes
Often called “Oswego tea,” monarda leaves were brewed as a tea substitute during colonial times.
Today, many gardeners grow mint-leaved bee balm to honor these traditions, support pollinators, and enjoy its beautiful fragrance and flavor.
Traditional use information is shared for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
HARVESTING TIPS
LEAVES
- Harvest in the morning after dew has dried
- Cut stems just before flowering for strongest aroma
- Use fresh for teas and infusions
- For drying, bundle and hang in a warm, shaded, airy space
FLOWERS
- Harvest when blooms are freshly opened
- Snip individual flowers or flowering tops
- Use fresh or dried for teas, syrups, and herbal blends
ONGOING HARVEST
- Regular cutting encourages bushier growth
- Never remove more than one-third of the plant at one time
STORAGE
- Store dried leaves and flowers in airtight containers
- Keep away from light and heat
- Best used within one year for peak flavor and fragrance
BEST USES
- Pollinator and wildlife gardens
- Native plant landscapes
- Meadow and prairie plantings
- Herbal and medicinal gardens
- Cottage-style borders
Mint-leaved bee balm is a beautiful, resilient native perennial that combines fragrance, pollinator support, and traditional value in one dependable plant.
POT SIZE: 2⅜” square x 3¾” deep band pot
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What to Expect With Your Plants
What size plants will I receive?
Most plants ship in 2 3/8” x 3 3/4” band pots—ideal for healthy root growth.
Top growth varies by variety and season, but every plant arrives well-rooted, actively growing, and ready to plant.
Grown naturally without artificial heat or lights, our plants are hardy, adaptable, and ready to thrive in real garden conditions.
When will my plants ship?
We schedule plant orders based on your area’s average last frost date and when each plant is truly ready to ship. You’ll receive an email with your estimated ship date once your order is scheduled.
Orders ship Monday–Wednesday via UPS or USPS (2–3 day service), so your plants arrive before the weekend and spend less time in transit. Shipping begins in spring—usually mid-April—when weather and plant health align, so your plants arrive strong, well-rooted, and ready to thrive.
Do you guarantee your plants?
We stand behind our plants and our packing process. While we can't control weather or how plants are cared for after arrival, we do guarantee that your plants will arrive healthy and in good condition. If there's an issue, just reach out and we're happy to help.
Are your plants inspected for plant health and disease?
Yes. Our nursery is inspected at least twice each year by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and meets state plant health and disease standards.
Why does shipping cost what it does for live plants?
Shipping live plants requires careful packaging, seasonal timing, and fast transit to ensure they arrive healthy.
Our shipping rates are calculated in real time based on box size, weight, and destination, and we always select the best available option for safe, timely delivery.
We never inflate shipping costs — you pay what it costs us to ship your order safely.
Have more questions?
We want you to feel good about your plant order. Find answers about shipping, sizing, care, and guarantees in our full FAQ.