Plant Family: 225 Genera in Lamiaceae

The Lamiaceae family, often referred to as the mint family, is one of my personal favorites in the world of plants. It’s a large and diverse family, with many plants that I’ve encountered both in gardens and in the wild. Known for its aromatic leaves and square stems, Lamiaceae includes some of the most well-known culinary herbs and ornamental plants. What excites me about this family is its versatility, ranging from herbs used in the kitchen to beautiful flowering plants that add character to any landscape.

The Genera That Define Lamiaceae

The Lamiaceae family is vast, with around 225 genera and over 7,000 species. Here are:

1. Mentha (Mint): This genus is perhaps the most recognizable in the family. I’ve grown different types of mint in my garden, from spearmint to peppermint. Mint spreads aggressively, which can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on your needs. Its refreshing scent and flavor make it a must-have for teas, salads, and summer drinks. – 39 Species in Genus Mentha – Mint Plant
2. Ocimum (Basil): Basil, particularly sweet basil, is another essential in my herb garden. This genus has a variety of species, and I appreciate the way basil complements tomato dishes. The Ocimum genus has a rich, sweet aroma that fills the air when you harvest it. – 66 Species in Genus Ocimum
3. Lavandula (Lavender): I can’t talk about the Lamiaceae family without mentioning lavender. The calming scent of lavender has made it a staple in my garden. I grow Lavandula angustifolia, and its vibrant purple flowers attract bees and butterflies. Its scent also serves as a natural stress reliever for me. – 49 Species in Genus Lavandula
4. Salvia (Sage): Salvia is a large and diverse genus, with over 900 species. I use culinary sage, particularly Salvia officinalis, in cooking, especially around Thanksgiving. But the genus also includes many ornamental species, like Salvia splendens, which add striking colors to garden beds. – 1050 Species in Genus Salvia
5. Thymus (Thyme): Another favorite of mine, thyme is hardy and easy to grow. I love the versatility of Thymus vulgaris, which pairs well with a variety of dishes, from roasted vegetables to meats. The creeping varieties of thyme also make for great ground cover in the garden. – 357 Species in Genus Thymus
6. Acanthomintha (A.Gray) A.Gray
7. Acanthoprasium (Benth.) Spach
8. Achyrospermum Blume
9. Acrotome Benth. ex Endl.
10. Acrymia Prain
11. Aegiphila Jacq.
12. Aeollanthus C.Mart. ex Spreng.
13. Agastache J.Clayton ex Gronov. – 23 Species in Genus Agastache
14. Ajuga L. – 69 Species in Genus Ajuga
15. Ajugoides Makino
16. Alvesia Welw.
17. Amasonia L.f.
18. Amethystea L.
19. Anisomeles R.Br.
20. Apatelantha T.C.Wilson & Henwood
21. Asterohyptis Epling
22. Ballota L. – 18 Species in Genus Ballota
23. Basilicum Moench
24. Benguellia G.Taylor
25. Betonica L.
26. Blephilia (L.) Raf.
27. Brachysola Rye
28. Brazoria Engelm. & A.Gray
29. Bystropogon L’Hér.
30. Callicarpa L. – 164 Species in Genus Callicarpa
31. Cantinoa Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
32. Capitanopsis S.Moore
33. Caryopteris Bunge – 8 Species in Genus Caryopteris
34. Catoferia (Benth.) Benth.
35. Cedronella Moench
36. Chaiturus Ehrh. ex Willd.
37. Chelonopsis Miq.
38. Chloanthes R.Br.
39. Cleonia L.
40. Clerodendrum L. – 239 Species in Genus Clerodendrum
41. Clinopodium L.
42. Colebrookea Sm.
43. Coleus Lour.
44. Collinsonia L.
45. Colquhounia Wall.
46. Comanthosphace S.Moore
47. Condea Adans.
48. Congea Roxb.
49. Conradina A.Gray – 5 Species in Genus Conradina
50. Cornutia Plum. ex L.
51. Craniotome Rchb.
52. Cuminia Colla
53. Cunila D.Royen
54. Cyanocephalus (Pohl ex Benth.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
55. Cyanostegia Turcz.
56. Cyclotrichium (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng.
57. Cymaria Benth.
58. Dasymalla Endl.
59. Dicerandra Benth.
60. Dicrastylis Drumm. ex Harv.
61. Discretitheca P.D.Cantino
62. Dracocephalum L.
63. Drepanocaryum Pojark.
64. Elsholtzia Willd.
65. Endostemon N.E.Br.
66. Eplingiella Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
67. Equilabium Mwany., A.J.Paton & Culham
68. Eriope Humb. & Bonpl. ex Benth.
69. Eriophyton Benth.
70. Eriopidion Harley
71. Eriothymus (Benth.) Rchb.
72. Eurysolen Prain
73. Fuerstia T.C.E.Fr.
74. Galeopsis L.
75. Garrettia H.R.Fletcher
76. Glechoma L.
77. Glechon Spreng.
78. Glossocarya Wall. ex Griff.
79. Gmelina L.
80. Gomphostemma Wall. ex Benth.
81. Gontscharovia Boriss.
82. Gymneia (Benth.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
83. Hanceola Kudô
84. Haplostachys (A.Gray) Hillebr.
85. Haumaniastrum P.A.Duvign. & Plancke
86. Hedeoma Pers.
87. Heliacria Bo Li, C.L.Xiang, T.S.Hoang & Nuraliev
88. Hemiandra R.Br.
89. Hemigenia R.Br.
90. Hemiphora (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
91. Hesperozygis Epling
92. Heterolamium C.Y.Wu
93. Hoehnea Epling
94. Holmskioldia Retz.
95. Holocheila (Kudô) S.Chow
96. Horminum L.
97. Hosea Ridl.
98. Hoslundia Vahl
99. Hymenopyramis Wall. ex Griff.
100. Hypenia (Mart. ex Benth.) Harley
101. Hypogomphia Bunge
102. Hyptidendron Harley
103. Hyptis Jacq.
104. Isodon (Benth.) Schrad. ex Spach
105. Isoleucas O.Schwartz
106. Kalaharia Baill.
107. Karomia Dop
108. Killickia Bräuchler, Heubl & Doroszenko
109. Kudrjaschevia Pojark.
110. Kurzamra Kuntze
111. Lachnostachys Hook.
112. Lagochilus Bunge ex Benth.
113. Lagopsis (Bunge ex Benth.) Bunge
114. Lamium L. – 34 Species in Genus Lamium
115. Leonotis (Pers.) R.Br.
116. Leonurus L.
117. Lepechinia Willd.
118. Leptohyptis Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
119. Leucas R.Br.
120. Leucosceptrum Sm.
121. Loxocalyx Hemsl.
122. Lycopus L.
123. Macbridea Elliott ex Nutt.
124. Marrubium L.
125. Marsypianthes Mart. ex Benth.
126. Martianthus Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
127. Matsumurella Makino
128. Medusantha Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
129. Meehania Britton
130. Melissa L. – 4 Species in Genus Melissa
131. Melittis L.
132. Mesosphaerum P.Browne
133. Microcorys R.Br.
134. Micromeria Benth.
135. Microtoena Prain
136. Minthostachys (Benth.) Spach
137. Moluccella L.
138. Monarda L. – 25 Species in Genus Monarda – Bee Balm
139. Monardella Benth.
140. Monochilus Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
141. Mosla (Benth.) Buch.-Ham. ex Maxim.
142. Muniria N.Streiber & B.J.Conn
143. Nepeta L. – 298 Species in Genus Nepeta – Catmint
144. Newcastelia F.Muell.
145. Obtegomeria Doroszenko & P.D.Cantino
146. Ombrocharis Hand.-Mazz.
147. Oocephalus (Benth.) Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
148. Origanum L. – 66 Species in Genus Origanum
149. Orthosiphon Benth.
150. Otostegia Benth.
151. Ovieda L.
152. Oxera Labill.
153. Panzerina Soják
154. Paralamium Dunn
155. Paraphlomis Prain
156. Pentapleura Hand.-Mazz.
157. Perilla L. – Perilla Frutescens in Genus Perilla
158. Perillula Maxim.
159. Peronema Jack
160. Petitia Jacq.
161. Petraeovitex Oliv.
162. Phlomidoschema (Benth.) Vved.
163. Phlomis L. – 116 Species in Genus Phlomis
164. Phlomoides Moench
165. Phyllostegia Benth.
166. Physominthe Harley & J.F.B.Pastore
167. Physopsis Turcz.
168. Physostegia Benth. – 12 Species in Genus Physostegia
169. Piloblephis Raf.
170. Pityrodia R.Br.
171. Platostoma P.Beauv.
172. Plectranthus L’Hér. – 83 Species in Genus Plectranthus
173. Pogogyne Benth.
174. Pogostemon Desf.
175. Poliomintha A.Gray
176. Prasium L.
177. Premna L.
178. Prostanthera Labill.
179. Prunella L. – 13 Species in Genus Prunella
180. Pseudocarpidium Millsp.
181. Pseudocaryopteris (Briq.) P.D.Cantino
182. Pseudochamaesphacos Parsa
183. Pseudodictamnus Fabr.
184. Pycnanthemum Michx. – 19 Species in Genus Pycnanthemum
185. Quoya Gaudich.
186. Renschia Vatke
187. Rhabdocaulon (Benth.) Epling
188. Rhaphiodon Schauer
189. Rhododon Epling
190. Rostrinucula Kudô
191. Rotheca Raf.
192. Roylea Wall. ex Benth.
193. Rubiteucris Kudô
194. Rydingia Scheen & V.A.Albert
195. Saccocalyx Coss. & Durieu
196. Satureja L. – 48 Species in Genus Satureja
197. Schnabelia Hand.-Mazz.
198. Scutellaria L. – 481 Species in Genus Scutellaria
199. Sideritis L. – 191 Species in Genus Sideritis
200. Siphocranion Kudô
201. Sphenodesme Jack
202. Stachydeoma Small
203. Stachys L. – 380 Species in Genus Stachys
204. Stenogyne Benth.
205. Suzukia Kudô
206. Symphorema Roxb.
207. Synandra Nutt.
208. Syncolostemon E.Mey. ex Benth.
209. Tectona L.f.
210. Teijsmanniodendron Koord.
211. Tetraclea A.Gray
212. Tetradenia Benth.
213. Teucrium L. – 341 Species in Genus Teucrium
214. Thorncroftia N.E.Br.
215. Thymbra L.
216. Tinnea Kotschy ex Hook.f.
217. Trichostema L.
218. Tripora P.D.Cantino
219. Vitex L. – 209 Species in Genus Vitex
220. Volkameria L.
221. Warnockia M.W.Turner
222. Wenchengia C.Y.Wu & S.Chow
223. Westringia Sm. – 32 Species in Genus Westringia
224. Zataria Boiss.
225. Ziziphora L.

Beyond Herbs: Ornamental Lamiaceae Plants

Though the Lamiaceae family is often associated with culinary herbs, its ornamental members are equally impressive. I’ve found joy in planting species that add texture and color to my garden. A few examples that come to mind:

• Nepeta (Catmint): While it’s a favorite among cats, Nepeta faassenii is a favorite in my garden for its long-lasting blooms and drought tolerance. The silvery-green foliage and soft purple flowers attract pollinators, making it a win-win for any pollinator garden.
• Perovskia (Russian Sage): This woody, drought-tolerant perennial has become a standout in my landscape design. With its spires of lavender-blue flowers and silver-gray foliage, Perovskia atriplicifolia creates a dramatic effect when planted en masse. I also appreciate its low maintenance.
• Stachys (Lamb’s Ear): I’ve planted Stachys byzantina as a ground cover for its soft, velvety leaves. It creates a nice contrast with other plants due to its unique texture. Plus, it’s hardy and spreads well in sunny areas.

Why Lamiaceae Matters

What I find fascinating about the Lamiaceae family is the combination of utility and beauty. The aromatic compounds in many species make them valuable for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. For example, I often use lavender essential oil to help with relaxation. At the same time, I enjoy cooking with herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary.

Additionally, many members of this family are important for pollinators. Lavender and catmint, in particular, attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. I’ve noticed that adding these plants to my garden not only improves its aesthetic but also supports local ecosystems.

Adaptability and Cultivation

One thing I admire about the Lamiaceae family is its adaptability. Many species are drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soils, making them suitable for a wide range of climates and conditions. I’ve successfully grown plants from this family both in containers and in the ground, and I appreciate how easy they are to care for.

For anyone looking to start gardening or enhance their current garden, I always recommend starting with a few key members of the Lamiaceae family. Mint, thyme, and rosemary are great beginner plants due to their hardiness and low maintenance. For those interested in adding ornamental value, catmint and Russian sage provide long-lasting beauty and minimal upkeep.

Final Thoughts

The Lamiaceae family offers an incredible range of plants that serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. Whether you’re looking to enhance your culinary creations with fresh herbs or add texture and fragrance to your garden, there’s a plant in this family for you. From my experience, the members of this family are some of the most rewarding plants to grow, both for their ease of care and their contributions to the overall garden ecosystem.