Purple Haze Rough Mint Bush

Purple Haze Rough Mint Bush (Prostanthera denticulata 'Purple Haze') is a low, dense Australian native shrub growing 40cm to 50cm high and 50cm to 75cm wide. Soft green foliage smells of menthol when brushed, and in spring it is covered in purple-lilac flowers. It is bushier and more upright than its straggly parent, and small enough for a pot.

Why you'll love it

• Denser than the species. A bushier, more upright habit than the parent plant, with longer leaves and a deeper flower colour.
• Menthol-scented leaves. Brush the soft green foliage and it releases a cool, minty fragrance.
• Masses of purple-lilac flowers. Spring brings a haze of flowers over the whole bush.
• Small and versatile. At half a metre high it suits rockeries, planters and low borders.
• A native for sensory gardens. Scent, texture and spring colour make it a good fit for cottage and sensory plantings.

Where it works best

Low hedge and borders. Plant 50cm apart in a row for a low, informal hedge or border edge of about 50cm.

Rockeries. The low, wide shape and free draining needs suit a rockery with sandy, gravelly soil.

Planters and pots. Compact enough for containers, where it can sit beside a door or seat and release its scent as you pass.

Cottage gardens. It combines well with small perennials and other natives in a mixed bed.

Growing Purple Haze Rough Mint Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Some shade from full summer sun suits it best. It tolerates a light frost once established, and does best in temperate gardens. In hot, humid summers, afternoon shade and sharp drainage matter more than anything.

Soil. Free draining soil. The parent species grows in sandy, gravelly soil in the wild, so mix coarse sand into heavy ground or use a raised bed.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well until established. Water through prolonged dry spells: mint bushes dislike wet roots but wilt if they get too dry. Feed with a controlled release native fertiliser once a year, after flowering or pruning.

Pruning. Prune by about one third each year after flowering to encourage new growth and a dense, pleasing shape.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Purple Haze Rough Mint Bush as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical choice for a border run, while the 140mm pots give you a stronger plant to start with. Plants travel upright, and are best planted out soon after arrival.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More Australian native plants
• Rockery plants
• Fragrant plants for gardens
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia

Common questions

How big does it get?

About 40cm to 50cm high and 50cm to 75cm wide, so it stays low and compact.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes. It is compact enough for planters. Use a free draining mix and keep the moisture even, because it hates wet roots but wilts when dry.

What does it smell like?

The leaves have a soft menthol scent when brushed. Plant it where you will pass close to it.