Poliomintha
( poh - lih - oh - MIN - thuh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of evergreen shrubs, commonly known as Rosemary Mint, Mexican Oregano or Lavender Spice, includes species which need regular water to perform well in the garden. Species vary in their sun exposure needs. The flowers will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden. Rosemary Mint is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and and Haiti. Foliage is fragrant, and flowers are pink. Use these fragrant shrubs in rock gardens, mixed beds and borders, or in pollinator or herb/edible gardens. They can also be grown in containers.
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Poliomintha Species and Varietals
There are about 8 species within the genus Poliomintha, which is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Clinopodium The genus name is derived from the Greek words for grey ('polios') and mint ('mintha'). Poliomintha growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Poliomintha incana (Frosted Mint, Hoary Mint, Hoary Rosemary-Mint) Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, this species forms a strongly aromatic shrub with dark green leaves. Small white hairs cover foliage. Flowers are tubular and also fuzzy, typically in light purple to light blue. The foliage of these plants is used fresh or dried as a culinary flavoring. Frosted Mint grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 in full sun. |
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Poliomintha maderensis (Poliomintha longiflora) (Mexican Oregano, Lavender Spice) This well-known species of Poliomintha is best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 8-24 and is native to eastern Mexico. It reaches 3 feet tall and wide with shiny green leaves that have the odor and flavor of Origanum. Flowers emerge lavender and mature to dark violet, eventually fading to white. Blooming season is spring through fall, and stems are brittle. Needs light shade in hot areas, but can take full sun elsewhere. |
Caring for poliomintha
Plant Poliomintha shrubs in full sun to partial shade. These shrubs typically need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per grow to have full foliage and produce profuse flowers, though many species can benefit from shade during the afternoon hours, especially in warm climates. Ensure that soil is well-draining; sandy or loamy soils are ideal for Rosemary Mint. They tolerate soil that is slightly alkaline to slightly acidic (with a pH of between 6.6 and 8.5). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered quite drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigation during extended periods of drought. Prune frequently to promote a bushier growth habit and to maintain a handsome shape. Pinch back new stems to encourage branching as they are putting out growth in the springtime. Deadhead frequently to encourage new blooms to pop. In late fall, prune back plants to reduce their vulnerability to cooler temperatures. Poliomintha can survive in the landscape for decades before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Poliomintha in Containers
Growing these flowering shrubs in containers can allow for gardeners in cooler zones to keep them as perennials, moving them indoors when temperatures drop in winter. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Poliomintha plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Harvesting Poliomintha
Leaves can be harvested as they appear on the plant (as a cut-and-come-again herb), or after they have dried, and can be used fresh or dried. The stems can also be used as a skewers for kebabs or vegetable brochettes. Use the leaves to flavor recipes that can take strong Oregano flavors, like tomato sauces for pizzas or pastas, teas, and salads. They can be used to flavor vinegars and oils, and the flowers can be used to add beautiful garnish to dishes. Remove leaves individually or by stem using a pair of sharp, clean shears or snips. The best time of the day to harvest foliage is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Store fresh leaves in a slightly moist paper towel in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3-7 days. To dry, harvest full stems and hang them upside-down in a cool, dark, dry area with good ventilation for 1 to 3 weeks. Then, strip the dried leaves off the stiff stems (which can be used as barbeque skewers) and store in airtight containers in a cool, dark, dry cabinet. They will retain their peak flavor and aromatic oils for between 6 and 12 months.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered quite drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigation during extended periods of drought. Prune frequently to promote a bushier growth habit and to maintain a handsome shape. Pinch back new stems to encourage branching as they are putting out growth in the springtime. Deadhead frequently to encourage new blooms to pop. In late fall, prune back plants to reduce their vulnerability to cooler temperatures. Poliomintha can survive in the landscape for decades before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Poliomintha in Containers
Growing these flowering shrubs in containers can allow for gardeners in cooler zones to keep them as perennials, moving them indoors when temperatures drop in winter. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Poliomintha plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Harvesting Poliomintha
Leaves can be harvested as they appear on the plant (as a cut-and-come-again herb), or after they have dried, and can be used fresh or dried. The stems can also be used as a skewers for kebabs or vegetable brochettes. Use the leaves to flavor recipes that can take strong Oregano flavors, like tomato sauces for pizzas or pastas, teas, and salads. They can be used to flavor vinegars and oils, and the flowers can be used to add beautiful garnish to dishes. Remove leaves individually or by stem using a pair of sharp, clean shears or snips. The best time of the day to harvest foliage is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Store fresh leaves in a slightly moist paper towel in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3-7 days. To dry, harvest full stems and hang them upside-down in a cool, dark, dry area with good ventilation for 1 to 3 weeks. Then, strip the dried leaves off the stiff stems (which can be used as barbeque skewers) and store in airtight containers in a cool, dark, dry cabinet. They will retain their peak flavor and aromatic oils for between 6 and 12 months.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Propagation
Poliomintha can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Poliomintha by Cutting
Propagating Poliomintha by Seed
Propagating Poliomintha by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Poliomintha by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Problems and Pests
Rosemary Mint shrubs are pretty pest and disease-free plants, though they can occasionally be bothered by the following issues:
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Root Rot
Gallery
These water-wise plants do well in naturalized gardens.
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Rosemary Mint does well when planted with other low water-use plants, like Agave and Penstemon.
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The shrubs flower profusely in spring and summer, and foliage is aromatic.
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Videos
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All about the Mexican Oregano Plant (Poliomintha longiflora).
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See Poliomintha featured in this video.
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Resources
Mexican Oregono (Poliomintha
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 522 - 523, Poliomintha
