Wild Mint
Mentha arvensis
Alberta's only truly native mint, found along streambanks, wet meadows, and ditches across the province. Strongly aromatic leaves were used by Indigenous peoples and settlers for tea, seasoning, and medicine. Produces dense whorls of pale lavender tubular flowers in leaf axils from July to September. A magnet for bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Province-wide wet areas, Zone 2
Light
Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time
July–Sept
Soil
Moist to wet; rich, loamy soils preferred
Water
Consistently moist; tolerates occasional flooding
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Spreads aggressively by rhizomes — divide established patches anytime in growing season. Also easy from stem cuttings in water.
Spacing
45–60 cm (be warned: spreads freely)
Always verify plant identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. This information is for educational purposes only.
