Mint

The Best Mint Varieties

Mentha Species, UK Grown

Mint is a perennial herb, very easy to grow in any well drained soil, but you must always keep different mint varieties apart from each other, or they will lose their individual flavour!

Most mints are aggressive, spreading by runners along the ground that will quickly take over and bully other plants, which is why they are commonly grown in pots to keep them under control. They quickly fill any patio pot with roots and runners, so every few years as necessary pull them out of the pot, cut the rootball in half, and make yourself two new pots.

Pick regularly to encourage lots of bushy, tasty new growth, and prune it down to 5-10cm after it flowers in summer. Freeze mint to preserve its flavour. Mint is easy to propagate from cuttings, and for many people it is one of the first plants they ever grew from a cutting.

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FAQs

Take the stress out of growing herbs from seeds. Our mint plants are already grown with dark green-toothed leaves and a spicy fragrance.

Are mint plants invasive?

Most mints are aggressive, quickly spreading their runners underground. A word of warning: in beds or borders, mint can run riot and outcompete all other plants for nutrients. Instead, keep your mint plants contained in a pot or bury plastic barriers underneath. Every few years, as necessary, pull them out of their pot. Trim and separate the rhizomes and root balls. Then you’ll have several mint plants.

What recipes can you try with mint?

Mint tastes subtly sweet, mildly bitter, and cool to the tongue. It’s the perfect ingredient for a refreshing mint julep, herb-crusted lamb, raspberry jam, fruit smoothie, or elderberry syrup.

What are the different types of mint?

There are 25 listed species of mint plants and at least 600 varieties. Here are some culinary favourites: Apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) has a fresh, fruity flavour. Chocolate mint (Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate') has a subtle taste and scent of chocolate. Spearmint (Mentha spicata), also called Garden mint, is the most common variety. Its refreshing flavour is good for making tea. Thai mint (Mentha arvensis) sports stylish red stems and a caraway flavour. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) has a zesty flavour. Peppermint oil on a sugar lump is excellent for digestion!

How do you look after a mint plant?

Mint thrives in well-drained fertile soil, light shade, and daily watering. Remember to space different mint varieties away from each other, or they will lose their individual flavour. Also, herbs die from excess moisture, so make sure your pots have drainage holes.

How long do mint plants live?

From seed, mint plants take about 90 days to reach their full height of 60 centimetres. Planted on the ground, they can survive for 5-10 years. Ideally, you should keep them in pots 30 centimetres deep or larger. If you want healthy, bushy growth, pick your mint regularly and prune them down to 5-10 centimetres after flowering in summer. They’re pretty easy to propagate from cuttings too.