Mentha

( MEN - thuh )

At-A-Glance Information

Plants in this genus are commonly called Mint, and are known to easily hybridize with other species in the genus. They grow well in moist soils and are aromatic perennial subshrubs with green foliage. Plants produce stolon roots which spread indefinitely, and grow to be between 4 and 48 inches tall when mature. These useful herbs are native to Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania, North America, and South America. Grow Mentha as a groundcover, pollinator plant, as a filler for pathways or rock gardens, or in a container.

Mentha Species and Varietals

The genus Mentha is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae, and includes between 13 and 24 distinct species. The ideal growing climate for these plants is USDA hardiness zones 3-10, though this can vary depending on the species cultivated; for more information, consult the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Mentha aquatica (Water Mint)
This species is a perennial rhizomatous plant that prefers to grow in very moist places. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-11. The entire plant has a minty smell to it, and produces flowers that are light pink to light purple-lilac in color. Blooms appear from mid- to late summertime. These plants are native to Europe, north Africa, and western Asia, where it grows in shallow pools, wet meadows, along streams and rivers, and around dikes, ditches, and canals. Leaves can be used to make herbal teas. The varietal 'Eu de Cologne Mint' or 'Bergamot Mint' is used to produce Mentha Citrata oil (Bergamot Mint Oil), used in perfumes. Water Mint is considered highly invasive in Florida and the northeastern United States.

Mentha arvensis (Corn Mint, Field Mint, Wild Mint, Tule Mint, American Wild Mint, Ginger Mint)
These herbaceous perennial plants reach up to 2 feet tall when mature and in bloom, and produce pale purple (sometimes white or pink) flowers in spring and summer. Leaves are slightly hairy and green. Plants can grow erect or be sprawling. Leaves are sometimes used to make tea or eaten raw. Best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. This species is considered invasive in Australia.

Mentha canadensis (Canada Mint, American Wild Mint, Chinese Mint, Sakhalin Mint, Japanese Mint, East Asian Wild Mint)
Native to North America and east Asia, these plants prefer to grow in wet, boggy areas. They produce flowers that are pink with a bluish tint, and bloom from July through August. Plants can reach up to 18 inches tall, and produce hairy stems and leaves. Canada Mint is suited for USDA hardiness zones 3-9.

Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal, Water Spearmint, Pennyroyal)
These plants are native to the western Mediterranean Sea area, and take the form of sprawling herbs up to about a foot tall when mature. Flowers produced by these plants are pink to pale lilac-blue. In some areas of the world, the foliage is used fresh or dried in salads, stews, soups, cheeses and sauces. Plants reach up to between 8 and 16 inches tall at maturity and spread to 12-24 inches wide and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Hart's Pennyroyal is considered invasive in Belgium.

Mentha cunninghamii (New Zealand Mint, Maori Mint, Hīoi)
Endemic to New Zealand, this species was named to honor English botanist Allan Cunningham. Plants are slender, wiry, and prostrate. They produce many branches and are often seen in matted piles. Flowers are small and white, and leaves are aromatic, sometimes used in cooking. These are low-growing plants and typically reach just 2-12 inches tall. They are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 6a-8a.

Mentha gattefossei (Gattefosse Mint, Menthe de Perse, Persian Mint, Mountain Mint, فليو ديال الجبل)
This Moroccan-native mint species has seen use in traditional medicine, pest control, and as a food seasoning. Plants have a creeping habit, and are many-branched, typically reaching up to a foot tall at the maximum. Flowers are pinkish-purple and appear from May through June in the plant's native range. Individual plants can reach up to 8-12 inches tall at maturity.

Mentha grandiflora (Large-Flowered Mint)
This species produces larger flowers than many others in the genus, and is native to eastern Australia. The species was first described in 1848 by botanist George Bentham. Flowers are pale lilac-purple. These plants are not typically used as culinary herbs, due to their fiery, bitter, and otherwise unpleasant taste. They reach between 6 and 16 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Large-Flowered Mint does well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Mentha japonica (Japanese Mint, ヒメハッカ, 姫女草, Princess Mint)
This species is endemic to the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu in Japan, first identified and described by botanist Tomitaro Makino in 1906. These plants are considered endangered. They can reach up to 16 inches tall when mature and produce flowers that range in color from white to pale violet. To 8-16 inches tall. Japanese Mint grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Mentha longifolia (Horse Mint, Brookmint, Fillymint, St. John's Horsemint, Arabian Mint, Wild Mint, Silver Mint, Brookmint)
Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, this species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Fragrant leaves are green and hairy, and flowers are lilac, purple or white. Individual plants can reach up to between 3 and 5 feet tall and spread through the landscape over time via underground roots. Horse Mint is considered invasive in temperate regions worldwide.

Mentha pulegium (European Pennyroyal, Pennyrile, Mosquito Plant, Pudding Grass)
This species is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and is a traditional folk remedy. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. Crushed leaves emit a very strong scent similar to Spearmint (Mentha spicata). Stems are reddish and mauve flowers bloom in June, lasting through fall. These plants are fantastic pest-resistant additions to the landscape. This species is considered invasive in California and Oregon in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mentha requienii (Corsican Mint)
This species of mint is native to Corsica, Sardinia, and Montecristo Island, and is a very low-growing species that forms a mat of foliage with a strong minty aroma. Plants reach just 4 inches tall and produce small mauve flowers in July and August. This species makes a great interactive groundcover for between stepping stones and lining walkways. This is the mint that is used for the liqueur Crème de Menthe. Corsican Mint is considered invasive in the Southeastern United States.

Mentha royleana (Royle's Mint, Jangli Podina, Pudina, Tulasi Paate, Valenay, Nari Wailani, Horse Mint)
Native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Himalayas and Kashmir, this species is named for botanist John Forbes Royle. These perennial plants produce fragrant foliage and produces somewhat discolored leaves. Flowering spikes hold lavender purple to pink flowers in spring and summertime. These plants can reach up to 1.5 to 4 feet tall at maturity.

Mentha spicata (Spearmint, Garden Mint, Common Mint, Lamb Mint, Mackerel Mint)
This species is well-known as a flavoring for foods and teas. Essential oils are also extracted from the plant, which reaches up to 40 inches tall. Summertime flowers are produced in slender spikes, and can be pink to white in color. The common name Spearmint refers to the pointed leaf tips. This species is considered invasive in many regions across North America.

Mentha suaveolens (Apple Mint, Pineapple Mint, Woolly Mint, Round-Leafed Mint)
This member of the mint family is native to southern and western Europe (including the Mediterranean). It forms an upright plant that is grown as either a culinary herb or ornamental groundcover. Foliage is light green, and flowers are white to pinkish, blooming in mid to late summertime. The entire plant has a minty fruit-like flavor. Cultivar 'Variegata' has leaves irregularly edged in white. This species is considered invasive in North America, Australia, and Europe.

Caring for Mentha

Take care when planting these in the landscape or vegetable garden, as many species are considered to be aggressively invasive in gardens. It can take over an entire yard in just a few years' time, and will out-compete most other landscape plants for nutrients and water. Before planting, consider installing a root barrier around the planting area that extends 18 to 24 inches deep to combat this tendency, or grow Mint plants in containers. Mentha, or Mint, plants are typically grown from seed (either sown directly into the garden or started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of the spring), or they can be purchased as starts from a reputable nursery. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart for best coverage and airflow as individual subshrubs. For groundcover species, space plants between 6 and 10 inches apart. Choose a space in the garden that receives full sun to light shade; the warmer the climate, the more shade (especially in the late afternoon when temperatures are at their peak) they can get and still perform well. If Mint is grown in too much shade, it has a tendency to become leggy and produces less flavorful foliage. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Mint plants appreciate getting regular waterings, especially during their active growing and blooming periods in spring and summertime. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Mentha plants are long-lived herbaceous perennials that can survive for many years in the garden, as they aggressively spread and are very resilient.

Caring for Mentha in Containers
Planting Mint in containers can go a long way in discouraging it from aggressively spreading into areas where it is unwanted. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Mentha plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. These plants will need to be divided every once in a while to ensure ongoing health (every 3-4 years is ideal). For instructions on how to successfully divide Mentha plants, see the Propagation section below.

Harvesting Mentha
Mentha, or Mint, plants are typically continuously harvested throughout the growing season, an activity which also serves to prune the plant back and discourage creeping stems from taking root where they are not wanted. Using sharp, clean shears or snips, cut stems just above a leaf node. Leaves can be picked from stems and used fresh, or stems can be bundled and dried in a cool, dark, dry place upside down. After drying, store mint in a sealable container. It will stay fresh for between 1 and 3 years. Fresh mint leaves can be stored rolled in a moist paper towel in a perforated plastic bag and will stay fresh for between 7 and 10 days. Stems can also be placed in a glass of water on a countertop for between 10 to 14 days, used whenever it is needed.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Mentha, or Mint, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. Mint plants are notorious for cross-pollinating, so if you have the goal of seed propagation, make sure to hand-pollinate and then exclude flowers by tying mesh bags around them. To propagate your Mint, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Mentha by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Mentha by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Mentha by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Mentha plants produce nutlets, each containing a single seed.

Mentha seeds are very tiny, round to oval, and light to dark brown in color.

Problems and Pests

Certain Mentha species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Mentha plants are typically pest and disease free, but they can suffer from time to time from the following: