Mint: Plant Care and Growing Guide
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 that are 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.
- Mints have no serious pest or disease issues.
- They are deer and rabbit resistant and toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested. Fresh or dried leaves of Mints repel mice and rats.
- Mint may cause allergic reactions in some people.
Guide Information
Plant Type | Herbs, Perennials |
---|---|
Plant Family | Mentha - Mint |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
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 |
voranat, Shutterstock
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 |
---|---|
Plant Family | Mentha - Mint |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
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 |