Meehania cordata is my newest plant palette addition. I discovered it over at Avant Gardens and plan to use it for ground cover in a variety of projects. It appears to be a good substitute for Ajuga and Lamium in shady spots — I plan to use it with Ajuga. I think it will also look beautiful as an underplanting with golden-leaved hosta and hakonechloa. Alternativley, I’d like to use it with hakonechloa but with a hosta partner that is on the blue spectrum. I’m thinking Hosta Halycyon or ‘Blue Cadet’.
>>>Read more about ground covers for shade.- Easy Ground Cover Plants for an Urban Shade Garden Project
About Meehania cordata (aka Meehan’s Mint)
Meehania cordata, commonly known as Meehan’s mint, is a charming and versatile perennial ground cover. Despite its name, it’s not actually part of the mint family but belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which means it shares similar characteristics, like a lovely minty aroma and spreading habit.
What’s sets Meehan’s mint apart is its ability to thrive in shade. It forms a dense mat of heart-shaped, dark green leaves and is dotted with delicate, tubular purple flowers in late spring to early summer. I’ve seen it confused with creeping charlie – the difference being that it smells better, isn’t so aggressive and I think softer and prettier.
Meehania is native to the eastern United States and an excellent choice for naturalizing areas, providing both ground coverage and visual interest in tricky-to-fill shady spots.
Where to Plant Meehan’s Mint and What to Grow With It
Meehan’s mint absolutely shines in shady or partially shaded areas, making it perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or under trees and shrubs. It’s an adaptable plant that tolerates a range of soils, from loamy to slightly acidic, but it prefers well-drained, moist conditions. Once established, it’s relatively low-maintenance and spreads nicely without being overly aggressive—something rare in a ground cover!
Pairing Meehan’s mint with other shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, or astilbes can create a lush, textured look. It also works beautifully alongside spring ephemerals like trilliums and Virginia bluebells, which complement its purple blooms and help fill in garden beds in those transitional seasons.
Design Ideas and Other Uses
Meehan’s mint offers a wealth of design possibilities, especially for creating carpets of color and texture in shaded areas. Use it as an understory plant in woodland gardens or as a soft, low-maintenance filler between larger plants and shrubs.
It also works well when used in mass plantings, providing a natural, relaxed aesthetic.
I love incorporating it along pathways or in-between stepping stones where its low-growing habit creates a seamless, flowing green surface.
Beyond its visual appeal, Meehan’s mint also serves as a pollinator-friendly native plant.
Another unexpected use? Consider growing it in containers for a cascading effect, letting it spill over the edges to soften hard lines. Its easy-care nature and appealing foliage make it an all-around winner for both experienced gardeners and those looking to add some low-maintenance beauty to their space.