Native perennial • Fragrant foliage • Major pollinator value
Native perennial • Fragrant foliage • Major pollinator value
Monarda fistulosa is a native prairie mint with fragrant foliage and ornate lavender blooms. A magnet for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Thrives in open meadows, native borders, and sunny pollinator plantings.
Full sun to part sun
6+ hours ideal
Light afternoon shade is fine in southern heat
More sun = more blooms + better mildew resistance.
Average watering
Prefers evenly moist soil
Drought-tolerant once established
Avoid constant wet feet to reduce fungal issues.
Wide soil tolerance
Sandy to clay, but must drain
Prefers moderately fertile, not heavy-rich soil
Lean soil reduces mildew pressure.
USDA Zones 3–9
Very cold hardy
Handles summer heat well if watered during drought
Mid to late summer
Long bloom window
Excellent summer nectar source
Supports:
hummingbirds
bumblebees
native bees
butterflies
hawk moths
Upright clumping
Aromatic foliage
2–4 ft tall
Slowly spreads by rhizomes
Non-aggressive but expands over time
Leaves smell like a mix of oregano + mint with native prairie mystery.
Brushing the foliage releases scent—great for sensory gardens.
Native Monarda can get powdery mildew in humid southern climates.
This is normal and rarely harms long-term health.
Reduce by:
full sun
good spacing
airflow
avoiding overhead watering
Even with mildew, pollinators don’t mind—they love it anyway.
Depth:
Plant crown level
Spacing:
18–24 inches
Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigor and airflow.
Pollinator gardens
Meadow plantings
Prairie-style borders
Native naturalistic designs
Sensory gardens
Hummingbird gardens
Rain garden upper slopes
Companion Plants
Pairs beautifully with:
Asclepias
Liatris
Rudbeckia
Coreopsis
Solidago
Echinacea
Native grasses (little bluestem, switchgrass)
Top-tier nectar source in mid-summer during peak pollinator demand. One of the keystone nectar plants for native bees and hummingbirds.
Normal, manage airflow.
More sun needed.
Too much shade or rich soil.