About
A spreading, herbaceous perennial with upright, square-sided stems and small, lime-scented leaves, both flushed with bronze. Whorls of tiny, pale purple flowers appear on the upper half of the stems 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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Herbs - Culinary
HabitSuckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a poor, moist soil in full sun. May have to potential to become a nuisance; restrict its spread by planting in deep containers and plunging them into the soil, or by growing in small, contained beds. See mint cultivation for more information
PruningCut back old stems at the end of the year to ground level
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or autumn. Softwood cuttings may be taken in spring. Pieces of rhizome can be potted up at any time in the growing season and grown on until established then planted out
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust