Mentha

( MEN - thuh )

At-A-Glance Information

Plants in the genus Mentha are commonly known as Mints, and are known to easily hybridize with other species in the genus. They grow best in wet environments and moist soils, and are aromatic perennials. Plants produce stolon roots which spread indefinitely, and grow to be between 4 and 48 inches tall when mature. Take care when planting these in the landscape or vegetable garden, as many species are considered to be aggressively invasive. These useful herbs are native to Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania, North America, and South America. 

Mentha Species and Varietals

The genus Mentha is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae, and includes between 13 and 24 distinct species. The growing zones for these trees and shrubs vary depending on the species; for more information, consult the information below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Mentha alaica
Native to central Asia, this species reaches over three feet tall when mature, and propagates itself via creeping rhizome roots. Leaves are green and about four inches long. The species was first recorded by Russian botanist Antonina Borissova in 1954.

Mentha aquatica (Water Mint)
This species is a perennial rhizomatous plant that prefers to grow in very moist places. 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.

Mentha arvensis (Corn Mint, Field Mint, Wild 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 or summertime. Leaves are slightly hairy and green. Plants can grow erect or be more sprawling in habit. Leaves are sometimes used to make tea or eaten raw.

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. 

Mentha cervina (Hart's 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.

Mentha cunninghamii (New Zealand Mint, Maori Mint)
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.

Mentha gattefossei
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.

Mentha grandiflora
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.

Mentha japonica
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 to be both rare and endangered. These perennials reach up to 16 inches tall and produce flowers that range in color from white to pale violet.

Mentha longifolia (Horse Mint, Brookmint, Fillymint, St. John's Horsemint)
Native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northern and southern Africa, this species produces a plant with a peppermint scent. Leaves are green and hairy, and flowers are lilac, purple, or white.

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. Crushed leaves emit a very strong scent similar to spearmint. Stems are reddish, and mauve flowers bloom in June, lasting through fall. These plants are fantastic pest 

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 flavoring creme de menthe.

​Mentha royleana (Royle's Mint, Jangli Podina, Pudina, Tulasi Paate, Valenay, Nari Wailani)
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 purple to pink flowers

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.

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.

Caring for Mentha


Harvesting Mint

Propagation

Bixia orellana seed pods are bright red.
When seeds are mature, seed pods will open.

Problems and Pests

Elettaria plants are typically pest and disease free. For more information on common garden problems, including how to correct them, see the following links.
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Gallery

Videos

All about Lipstick Trees.
How to care for a Lipstick Tree in the garden.

Resources

Wikipedia: Mentha
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