Garden Mint
Mentha canadensis
Mentha canadensis by Mjhuft (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
H7
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 50cm |
20cm | Min | 20cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Garden Mint
Garden Mint Overview
Garden Mint is a fast-growing spreading plant with bright green aromatic serrated leaves. Garden mint is edible and has medicinal and cosmetic uses, and can be used to make essential oil. Garden Mint was previously considered to be the species Mentha sachalinensis, this plant is now considered the same as Wild Mint, Mentha canadensis. It is a great container plant and tolerates light frost. It can become invasive, make sure to plant it in a contained area or in a pot in the soil!
Common problems with Garden Mint
Mint is mostly resistant to pests but is vulnerable to whiteflies, blackflies, spider mites, snails, and slugs when young.
How to harvest Garden Mint
Leaves can be picked throughout the year, but they lose their best aroma once flowers appear. For the strongest flavour, harvest leaves at midday when their essential oil concentrations are strongest. Gather individual leaves or cut leafy stems.
How to propagate Garden Mint
Cuttings
Mint can easily be grown from stem cuttings.
Seed
Sow seeds in Spring, 40-60 mm deep and thin out later.
Division
Divide the rootball in Spring or Autumn. If you want to keep a specific aroma, division is the best method, not seeds.
Rhizomes
The rhizomes will readily sprout roots and stems when replanted any time of the year.
Special features of Garden Mint
Repels harmful insects
Repels cabbage fly, ants, cabbage looper and aphids.The essential oil is used to repel moths and rodents.
Crop rotation
Medium Feeder
Pot plant
Mint makes a good container plant. This also stops the plant from spreading too rapidly.
Attracts useful insects
The flowers attracts bees and butterflies.
Other uses of Garden Mint
Culinary, medicinal, cosmetic, essential oils
Medicinal
A common herbal remedy for indigestion, nausea, tooth- and headaches. An ingredient of shampoo and soap. It can be applied directly to the skin.
Edible
Leaves and flowers are edible and used in eg. salads, tea (especially Moroccan tea), cocktails, food, toothpaste and ice cream. Leaves can be dried or frozen or preserved in salt, sugar syrup, alcohol or oil.
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