About
Vigorous, spreading perennial to 50cm tall, with minty-chocolate scented, dark-green leaves, tinged reddish-purple in sun or copper-red in shade, and bearing dense terminal spikes of tiny pinkish-purple flowers, in late summer.
About the genus
Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Herbs - Culinary
HabitSuckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any moist soil in sun or shade, May have the potential to become a nuisance; restrict root run or grow in a container. See mint cultivation for further information
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to sage leafhopper and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust