Which mint should i grow

Spearmint is a popular flavoring agent for chewing gum and is also used in salads and to flavor teas. Some gardeners prefer the 'Kentucky Colonel' cultivar over others because they feel it has nicer foliage. While pennyroyal is a type of mint, it differs from most in some important respects. For one thing, its most popular use currently is as a pest deterrent rather than as a culinary herb.

This mint is toxic and should not be consumed. It also stays shorter and does not have the rapid spread of many types of mint. This makes it effective where a low ground cover is desired. Pennyroyal bears lavender flowers. Like pennyroyal, Corsican mint is an excellent choice when you need a short plant in fact, it is considered a miniature ; for example, both are useful for planting the edge of a container.

It forms dense mats of tiny leaves and has lilac flowers although they are so small you can barely see them. Because of its size, tendency to spread, fragrance released when crushed , and ability to hold up to some foot traffic, it is a great choice for growing between stepping stones.

Watermint has light lavender flowers and leaves that are dark green with purplish veining. But what makes this mint different from most others is that it can be grown in shallow water.

This makes it the obvious mint choice for small water features. Harvest the leaves for use as a balm or for the usual culinary applications salads, flavoring teas, etc. Apple mint often has lighter green leaves than do many mints. It has white or light pink blooms. The leaves can be either oblong or ovate. Functioning equally well as a culinary herb flavor teas with it, for example and as a ground cover, its common name derives from its smell and taste, both of which are fruity and minty.

Pineapple mint is a cultivar of apple mint. It is valued for its variegated leaves. In fact, it is more likely to be grown strictly as an ornamental than the other entries on this list, thanks to the beauty of its leaves. But you can still use it in the kitchen. Use it to flavor fruit salads it has a fruity aroma, as does apple mint , jellies, and teas.

It may also be your best choice if you are looking for a mint to use as a garnish, considering the striking foliage. Native plant enthusiasts are always looking for alternatives to foreign imports. Mentha canadensis fits the bill for a native mint for North American gardeners. It is native to much of the U. In the kitchen, it is used in candies, jellies, and teas. Traditional medicinal uses range from curing toothaches to treating hiccups.

This type of mint gets its common names from the fact that it is the authentic mint to use when making the rum cocktail known as "mojito" and so intimately associated with Cuba.

Its strong aroma and flavor have made it a favorite. In the garden, space plants 12 to 24 inches apart in containers to keep growth in check. Use large containers measuring 8 to 24 inches in diameter and with a similar depth. Sink the containers into garden beds leaving the top two inches of the rim above ground.

This helps to prevent runners from escaping into fertile soil and establishing new plants. Ensure pots have plenty of material covering the drainage holes such as coir, pebbles, or broken pottery to prevent the roots from sitting in water. Turn pots in the ground every 14 to 28 days to stop the roots from spreading through the drainage holes.

Consider burying some metal flashing or landscape edging 8 inches deep around the plant to prevent it from taking over. Mint can make a useful ground cover and some varieties will tolerate a little foot traffic. Mulch pots and in-ground plants with a 2-inch layer of straw to retain moisture and keep weeds in check. Mentha plants tolerate a light frost, but the top growth will eventually die back in winter. In autumn, cut back stems to the ground and cover with a 2-inch layer of mulch if your winters are harsh.

While humans are quite enamored of this herb, many animals and insects are not. It is known to repel ants, cockroaches, deer, mice, spiders, and squirrels which makes it a useful companion plant for other crops.

In the garden, grow near cabbages and tomatoes to deter cabbage moths. Ensure pots have plenty of drainage material — such as broken pottery, gravel, or pebbles — at the bottom and keep soil moist but not wet.

Fertilize with an all-purpose liquid plant food such as NPK in spring and once more mid-way through the growing season. Botanists disagree as to exactly how many species of this herb exist, with most landing in a range of 13 to 20 different types. Close to different cultivars are available. The most popular varieties for home cultivation include spearmint M.

This plant will grow 12 to 36 inches tall at maturity and, like most plants of this family, prefers a part sun location. Seeds in biodegradable peat pods are available from Click and Grow via Amazon. You can also pick up a 3-pack of plants at Burpee. Read more about growing peppermint plants here.

This variety has brown stems and the leaves have a chocolate-mint aroma and flavor, making it perfect for use in cold drinks and tea. Or you can pick up seeds by the packet or in bulk from Eden Brothers. Read more about growing spearmint here. Find plants in 3-packs at Burpee. Pick up 3-packs of variegated pineapple mint plants at Burpee. Mint Julep Collection.

The 3-piece collection is available at Burpee. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can cause damage by sucking sap and spreading fungal disease. You can learn more about controlling aphids in your garden here. Spider mites can cause stunted and deformed growth and can also be handled with a strong blast of water.

Safer Brand Insecticidal Soap. If insects become problematic, apply an insecticidal soap such as this one from Safer Brand, available through Home Depot. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that can spread quickly in warm, wet weather, causing small spots that gradually get larger until the leaves drop off.

Keep plants off the ground and ensure good air circulation. The spores overwinter in plant debris, so clean beds well in fall and remember to rotate crops. Avoid splashing water onto lower leaves. Mint rust is another fungus that causes small brown, orange, or yellow pustules on undersides of leaves. Heat treating the roots may help to control rust. Powdery mildew is another fungus that can also show up in moist, damp conditions, coating leaves and stems in a fuzzy dusting that weakens and damages plants.

Remove any infected plants and allow the soil to dry out. Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide. If fungi are persistent, treat with a fungicide compatible for organic gardening like Bonide, available at Amazon.

The quality of the volatile oils that give mint its characteristic flavor is best during the long days of summer when plants receive 14 hours of daylight or more. Harvest on a sunny day by shearing the tops of the plants after the morning dew has dried. Cut stems to just above the first or second set of leaves. Like most herbs, mint is best enjoyed fresh. But it can be successfully dried and frozen as well. Gently wrap leaves in a damp paper towel and place the paper towel inside a loosely sealed plastic bag or storage container.

Refrigerate the container. Or, trim the stem ends and place them in a small glass of water. Place the glass in the fridge and cover loosely with a bag, replacing the water every 3 to 4 days. Rinse your harvest under cold, running water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean dish towel. Tie several stems together into small bunches of 10 to 25 stems and hang upside down in paper bags.

Choose a cool, dry location with ample air circulation. When leaves are dry and crumbly, in 1 to 2 weeks, strip them from the stem and store in airtight containers in a cool, dark cupboard.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be used to replace the water. A small wedge of lemon or lime or pinch of zest can also add citrus flavor. You can also pop in a few berries for a fruity twist or add some fresh tarragon for a hint of licorice. After the leaves are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place in airtight containers in the freezer where they will last up to 3 months.

Find more techniques for freezing fresh herbs here. Fresh mint makes a lovely complement to fish, lamb, and poultry and can spruce up lightly steamed veggies like baby carrots, peas, and new potatoes. And a julep or mojito would be nowhere without the cooling zest of mint! To enjoy your crop, why not start off with a Tomatillo-Jito from our sister site Foodal? This refreshing beverage is a tart twist on a classic cocktail. Also from Foodal , you might enjoy Spicy Pork Tacos with Peach and Corn Salsa, where the herb adds a special pop to the flavorful salsa.

In the right place, mint makes a pretty and fragrant seasonal ground cover. It loves moist areas and is a natural along stream banks, lightly shaded meadows, and the fringe areas around marshes and ponds. The sweet, fresh fragrance can also be enjoyed between pathway pavers, where walking on it releases the scent. But ensure the roots are restricted to the pathway with hardscape borders. If needed, use a landscape edging barrier for effective root management.

Landscape Edging Barrier via Amazon. This one from AmazonBasics gives malleable control and is available via Amazon. Planting zesty cool mint not only means adding an attractive plant to your landscape, but also a fantastic flavoring agent for drinks, savory dishes, and desserts.

Have you ever grown mint? Did it take over your whole yard, or did you put it in a container? Tell us your minty tales in the comments below. See our TOS for more details.

A superb evergreen bearing delicate, waxy, bell-shaped flowers in the depths of winter, with lush green foliage for year-round interest. Home Plants 10 refreshing varieties of mint to grow. Mint is especially vigorous, so is best grown in pots and containers to prevent it spreading in the garden. Chocolate mint, Mentha x piperata f. Moroccan mint, Mentha spicata var.

Strawberry mint, Mentha spicata subsp. Curly mint, Mentha spicata var. Pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium. Buddleia mint, Mentha longifolia. Water mint, Mentha aquatica. Subscribe now. Buy now for spring flowers. Double up for 1P more. Evergreen climbing hydrangea.