About
A spreading perennial herb, with strongly aromatic, toothed dark green leaves with splashes of yellow and cream. Spikes of small, pale purple flowers are produced at the tips of the stems in 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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbs - Culinary, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a poor, moist but well drained soil in full sun. May have the 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. Plants grown in pots will benefit from dividing every few years. 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, by softwood cuttings in spring, or by root cuttings any time during the growing period
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust