Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: Sue Dingwell
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Eleanor Dietrich, Magnolia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Eleanor Dietrich, Magnolia Chapter FNPS
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Nomenclature

Common Name:

dotted horsemint

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Monarda punctata

Family:

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-5 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Flowers late spring to early fall.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower. Can be used in informal gardens or as individual plants in ones with a more tended look.

Considerations:

Can get rangy and fall over, but trimming in early summer will keep it bushier.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- 1Stays wet

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

fairly broadly tolerant

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Attracts many bees, butterflies, and moths.

Attracts hummingbirds.

Native Habitats:

Dry disturbed areas, old fields, and upper sand dunes.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Contains thymol, the same oil as thyme and oregano. It can be used as an American-grown substitute for those Mediterranean herbs, so plant in an herb garden or cottage garden.

General Comments:

The showy part of this plant is the bracts which are pink to lavender. Flowers are actually small, whitish to yellowish, with purple spots.