Mentha longifolia
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Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Mentha longifolia is a non-native California perennial in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with 9 other mint species; limited to low elevation Southern California with canescent covering.
Horse mint is a naturalized perennial found in southern California and the Transverse Ranges in moist fields and disturbed areas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white to pink or violet flowers in dense spike-like clusters. Growing with erect, grayish-white hairy stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it spreads readily in moist environments. Its lance-oblong leaves are 1.5 to 7 centimeters long, with serrated edges and tapered bases that provide a distinctive aromatic appearance. The plant's soft, canescent stems and variable flower colors make it a notable introduced species in California's landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 other mint species; limited to low elevation Southern California with canescent covering
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places, fields
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to Canada, eastern United States, native to Eurasia, Africa, naturalized from cultivation
Bloom period
Mentha longifolia blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Monardella: Monardella has one pom-pom head per stem; Mentha has multiple clusters stacked at intervals up the stem.; vs Salvia: Sage has flowers in an elongated terminal spike; Mentha has clusters distributed along the stem at leaf joints.; vs Stachys: Hedge-nettle has larger flowers and lacks the classic mint smell; Mentha is aromatic with smaller flowers.; vs Melissa: Lemon balm has flowers all on one side of the stem; Mentha's clusters encircle the stem evenly.; vs Clinopodium: Clinopodium has tiny flowers (pencil-eraser size); Mentha's flowers are noticeably larger and more visible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mentha longifolia native to California?
No. Mentha longifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Mentha longifolia bloom?
Mentha longifolia blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Mentha longifolia belong to?
Mentha longifolia is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Mentha.
What habitat does Mentha longifolia grow in?
Mentha longifolia grows in Moist places, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.