Lesser calamint

Calamintha nepeta

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Attracts pollinators

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Aromatic Mediterranean perennial herb with small white to lilac flowers and a strong mint scent. The prolonged summer flowering is extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators. In the food forest it occupies the herbaceous layer, attracting beneficial wildlife and tolerating dry conditions and calcareous soils well.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees lesser calamint grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Perennial herb up to 0.6 m
Mature diameter: 0.4 m
Soils: Sandy, Loam, Limestone
Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean, Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental

Calendar

January
February
March — Planting
April — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July — Harvest
August — Harvest
September — Harvest — Planting
October — Harvest — Planting
November
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The leaves are used in cooking as an aromatic herb, especially for seasoning olives, and in infusions to aid digestion.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Fig tree

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.