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Mint: Plant Care and Growing Guide

Peppermint, Spearmint, Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata, Mentha piperita citrata, Mentha suaveolens

Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint, Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata, Mentha piperita citrata, Mentha suaveolens

Mint is a valuable herb with a long history of use for culinary and medicinal purposes.

All you need to know about Mint

  • Mint species (Mentha spp.) belong to the Lamiaceae family, along with basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, and lavender.
  • There are about two dozen species native to all continents except Antarctica.
  • They are almost exclusively perennial herbs with square stems and opposite aromatic leaves.
  • In summer, they produce tiny, pale purple, pink, or white flowers arranged in whorls or crowded together in terminal spikes.
  • Mint is prized for its refreshing, cool, aromatic flavor. Its oil is used in toothpaste, gum, candy, and beauty products.
  • Its leaves are also used fresh or dried to add flavor to foods and drinks.
  • Mint oil is also a natural insecticide, killing common pests such as wasps, hornets, ants, and cockroaches.
  • Mint is also a repellent against clothes moths when used indoors.
  • It has been used in traditional medicine to treat stomach aches and chest pains. Taking peppermint oil reduces abdominal pain and helps treat irritable bowel syndrome.
  • In the garden, Mints are used as garden specimens, ground covers, in herbs and kitchen gardens, as well as vegetable gardens.
  • Many Mints are very vigorous and can be aggressive in gardens, spreading by stolons everywhere. Grow them in pots or containers to keep them within bounds.
  • Tough and unfussy, most Mint varieties thrive in light, moist soils in full sun or partial shade. They, however, adapt to a wide range of soils except for dry ones.
  • Mint is extremely easy to grow and relatively low maintenance. It has no serious pest or disease issues.
  • Mint is deer and rabbit resistant and toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested. It may cause allergic reactions in some people.
  • Fresh or dried leaves of Mints repel mice and rats.

Guide Information

Plant Type Herbs, Perennials
Genus Mentha
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
Mentha spicata (Spearmint)
Mentha suaveolens (Apple Mint)
Mentha x piperita (Peppermint)

Most popular Mint species

  • Spearmint (Mentha spicata): This is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial with spearmint-scented, lance-shaped leaves and spikes of small, white to pale purple flowers. Native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, this garden mint spreads rampantly to form an extensive colony. It is widely used for culinary purposes and is known as one of the best mints for flavor.
  • Curly spearmint (Mentha spicata var. crispa): This aromatic perennial produces bright green, crinkled, oval leaves with toothed margins and a true spearmint scent. Spikes of tiny, white to light pink or purple flowers are borne above the foliage. Moroccan Mint is a neat form with a delightful flavor.
  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): This sterile hybrid is a strongly scented, herbaceous perennial with dark green, tooth-edged leaves often flushed with purple. It produces terminal spikes of tiny, pale purple flowers in late summer. The leaves are great for flavoring tea. Some varieties have a slight orange flavor (M. x p. citrata). Other fruit-flavored types include the delicious ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Grapefruit’ mints.
  • Apple or Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens): This sweetly fruit-scented rhizomatous perennial boasts rounded, softly hairy, apple-scented leaves and dense spikes of white or pinkish flowers in late summer and early fall. Native to southern and western Europe, this vigorous, upright Mint is most commonly grown as a culinary herb or ground cover. The leaves can be used to make apple mint jelly, prepare mint tea, tossed in salads, or used as a garnish. Apple mint has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years in many parts of the world.
  • Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a highly aromatic, creeping perennial forming dense mats or small smooth leaves that are powerfully spearmint scented. Tiny lilac flowers are produced in whorls in summer. Native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy and culinary herb but is poisonous if consumed in large quantities.
  • Mojito Mint (Mentha x villosa) is a vigorous, spreading perennial herb with strongly aromatic hairy leaves and spikes of tiny, pale pink flowers in summer. The strong flavor of this Mint variety makes it a traditional ingredient in the famous Mojito cocktail.
  • Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii) is a strongly mint-scented perennial that forms a dense ground cover of tiny emerald green leaves. This vigorous, mat-forming Mint produces tubular lilac flowers in short spikes in summer. It has a mossy appearance and can be used as a filler between steppingstone.
Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)
Mentha spicata var. crispa ‘Moroccan’ (Moroccan Mint)
Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’ (Pineapple Mint)

Planting Mint

  • Tough and unfussy, most Mint varieties thrive in light, moist soils in full sun or partial shade.
  • Buy young plants or use cuttings in spring.
  • Plant 2 feet apart (60 cm). A couple of plants will be more than enough to quickly to cover the ground.
  • Avoid growing different varieties of mint close to each other, as they can lose their individual aroma and flavor.
  • Since Mint is a vigorous grower that will spread everywhere and could become invasive, you may want to plant it in a 10-inch pot (25 cm) filled with multi-purpose compost.
  • You can keep this pot above ground or sink it into the ground with the rim above ground level to prevent shoots from escaping over the top.
  • You can also grow the plants indoors for fresh leaves throughout the winter.
  • Alternatively, you could plant your Mint plants in their own raised bed.
  • Water plants before and after planting and until they settle in.

Growing Mint

  • Ensure the soil is consistently moist, especially during hot, dry weather.
  • Mulch lightly to retain moisture and keep the leaves clean.
  • When blooming is over, cut the flowered stems back to 2 in (5 cm) from the base.
  • If your plants are spreading via their horizontal runners and underground rhizomes, they can be easily pulled out.

Companion Planting

Mint is an excellent companion plant.

  • Mint repels Pests: It has a strong scent that can deter pests such as aphids, black flies, cabbage moths, cabbage worms, cabbage maggots, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and ants.
  • Mint improves Growth: It is said to improve the growth of other plants by improving soil quality and releasing beneficial compounds into the soil.
  • Mint attracts Beneficial Insects: The flowers are a source of nectar for beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which help pollinate nearby plants or prey on garden pests.

Do not plant Mint in the ground near your vegetables to prevent it from taking over your vegetable crops. Use the foliage as mulch or keep it in pots.

Find here the list of best and worst companion plants for Mint

Mentha requienii (Corsican Mint)
Mentha spicata var. crispa (Curly Mint)
Mentha x villosa (Mojito Mint)

Harvesting and Storing Mint

Mint is best harvested just before the plant starts to flower when the essential oils and flavor are at their peak. Here are some tips for harvesting it:

  • Pruning: Harvest only the young leaves, as they are more flavorful than the mature ones. Cut the stem tips of the plant back to about 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) from the ground using sharp scissors or pruning shears.
  • Timing: Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.
  • Frequency: Regular harvesting will encourage new growth and keep the plant healthy and productive.
  • Drying: To dry mint, tie the stems together in bunches and hang them upside down in a warm, dry place with good air circulation. Once the leaves are dry and crumbly, crumble them into a jar and store them in a cool, dark place.
  • Freezing: Another option is to freeze mint leaves by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and putting them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the leaves to a freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer.

Repotting Mint

Repotting mint is an important step in maintaining its health and preventing it from becoming root-bound. Here are some steps to repotting mint:

  • Choose the right pot: Select a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot and has adequate drainage holes.
  • Prepare the soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
  • Remove the plant from the old pot: Gently remove the plant from its current pot, taking care not to damage the roots.
  • Trim the roots: If the roots are congested, trim them back to encourage new growth.
  • Repot the plant: Place the plant in the new pot, making sure it’s at the same depth as it was in the old pot. Fill the pot with the prepared soil and press down gently to eliminate air pockets.
  • Water the plant: Water the plant thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, for the next few weeks.
  • Place in a suitable location: Place the repotted mint in a bright, but not direct sun location. Gradually acclimate it to its new environment by exposing it to sunlight for longer periods each day.

Pest and Diseases

Mint is not affected by serious pest or disease issues.

  • Pests: Keep an eye out for Mint beetles, slugs, and snails.
  • Diseases: Anthracnose, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew, Rust.

Companion Plants for Mint

Allium cepa (Onion)
Beta vulgaris (Beet)
Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group (Cauliflower)
Brassica oleracea Capitata Group (Cabbage)
Brassica oleracea Italica Group (Broccoli)
Cucurbita pepo – Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo – Zucchini
Daucus carota subsp. sativus (Carrot)
Lactuca sativa (Lettuce)
Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile)
Phaseolus vulgaris – Green Beans
Pisum sativum (Pea)
Raphanus sativus (Radish)
Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)
Solanum melongena (Eggplant)
Vicia faba – Fava Beans
Zea mays (Corn)
Tagetes (Marigold)
Compare All Mentha (Mint)
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Mentha (Mint)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Herbs, Perennials
Genus Mentha
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Mentha (Mint)
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Mentha (Mint)

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