Is Dotted Mint invasive?

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

I was so excited to discover this plant, the seeds are just starting to sprout. The pictures of its flowers are beautiful and I think it'll be really helpful to us medicinally. I planted it in a pot because it was called Dotted MINT, thinking it'd be invasive, but I see it is "monarda punctata," and I wonder if perhaps it'd be fine right in the garden? Are there any experienced growers/more knowledgable people here who know? Thank you.

[wilderness1989]

Information here:http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/799/
http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H414.htm
My guess is if it is in the mint family, which it is, that it's invasive. And spreads by roots and seeds.

[Graycatbird]

Hi, I'm new to these forums, and they look really interesting! I have a lot of monarda in my garden, and, yes, it spreads like crazy. You probably could call it invasive. I like it, though, and just dig it out where I don't want it and move it to a place where I have space to fill (I dug out all the grass in my yard a few years ago and made it all garden, so there's a lot of space to fill). I have a packet of dotted mint seeds myself, and am going to plant them inside in a flat today. I think it looks like a great plant, too! Mine is going to go in the garden, and I'll just do the same as I do with the rest of my monarda.

Monarda is related to mint, I believe.

Sue
Portland, Maine, USA
Zone 5

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

Thank you...I wasn't sure from the name "monarda" if it was true mint or not...I couldn't remember mint's latin name. But I'm confused, is dotted mint mint or bee balm? Is mint bee balm? Anyone?

[Graycatbird]

Monarda is bee balm, and what I've read is that it's "in the mint family," but I don't think it could actually be called mint. I don't know if dotted mint would be called bee balm or not, but I'll bet you could find the answers pretty fast by doing a Google search. I can't remember mint's botanical name either, maybe "mentha"?

I tried growing dotted mint one other year, planted it outside as the directions said, and never saw any plants. Either it never came up or got eaten as soon as it did. This time I'm starting it inside.

Sue
Portland, Maine
Zone 5