Description
Botanical Name: Monarda punctata
Common Name: Spotted Beebalm, Monarda, Dotted Horsemint
Description: Spotted beebalm is a robust, aromatic, Florida native wildflower that occurs naturally in meadows, coastal dunes, roadsides, and dry disturbed areas. It typically blooms late spring through fall, attracting a huge variety of pollinating insects, including bees, wasps, hummingbirds, and butterflies. In winter, it dies back to the ground. The showy part of this plant is the bracts which are pink to lavender. Flowers are actually small, whitish to yellowish, with purple spots. Fast growing in sun, part sun, or part shade to 2-4′ tall. Likes dry to slightly moist, well-drained soil. Spotted beebalm has a long bloom time and can be a nice addition to a home landscape. Enjoy the diversity of pollinators it attracts. Pruning in early summer will help it stay bushier. Drought tolerant. Special value to native bees, bumblebees, and honey bees. Attracts good bugs for your Integrated Pest Management. Host plant for the Raspberry pyrausta butterfly, orange mint moth, and hermit sphinx moth.
Has edible and medicinal value.
Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
This plant in 1-gallon containers is 8-12″ tall.
Plant Lore: Spotted beebalm is high in thymol, which has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties and was used historically to treat ringworm and hookworm infections. When crushed, the leaves emit an oregano-like scent. The leaves and flowers can be brewed into a mild tea that is said to promote relaxation.
Florida Hardiness Zones 8 – 10
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