With its bright , fresh flavor and zesty fragrance , mint has long been a favorite herb loved for its versatility in the garden and in the kitchen – and there are plenty of attractive varieties to pick out from .
In the kitchen , the leaves and flowers have bright sapidity that are sweet and cooling , and wide used as a garnish , in hot and cold beverage , and to season candies , cocktails , sweet , jelly , mocktails , salads , sauce , and vegetables .
The various species and cultivars of theMenthagenus have aromatic , black unripe leaves and develop terminal spindle of small bloom in shades of mauve , pink , purple , and snowy that are highly attractive as ground covers , in kitchen potagers , or in garden planters .
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unfearing and vigorous , Menthavarieties are easy cultivate and overspread pronto via runner , form boneheaded , fragrant bunch when allow to uprise freely .
However , some gardener retrieve their rich spread to be a bit too vigorous and keep them in hitch by implant in containers or march within landscape barrier orraised beds .
Most varieties require similar grow conditions of full to partial sun with moist , humus full-bodied , and well - debilitate grease . You canread more about how to cultivate mint in our develop guide .
They are n’t inconvenience oneself by deer as their strong scent is a deterrent to the munching herbivore !
Many variety have similar savour and fragrances , but each has its own unique subtleties and characteristic – so be certain to take the character that suit your personal tastes for cooking and growing .
Are you ready for the cool , sweet flavor of your own refreshingMenthapatch ? Then let ’s search 15 good deal varieties for the garden and kitchen !
Here ’s a peep at what ’s ahead :
Best Mint Varieties for Your Garden
1. Apple
famed for its light light-green leaves with a rounded oblong human body , apple mint , M. suaveolens , has a crisp , fruity perceptiveness and fragrance that makes it a favorite type for flavor food and drinks such as baked goods , frozen treats , salads , and beverage .
Apple
flora grow 12 to 24 column inch magniloquent and wide , and produce pretty last spike of pocket-size pink to white flowers in summer , attracting hordes of bee , butterflies , and other pollinator . Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9 .
Live organic plants in two and one - half column inch pots areavailable at Walmart .
Check out our guide to study more about grow apple mass .
2. Chocolate
sweet habit-forming , M.×piperitaf.citrata‘Chocolate ’ is loved for its sweet , chocolatey fragrancy and potent , coolheaded smack for dishes and drinks such as pixy , cake , meth cream , hot chocolate , Milk River shakes , shrubs , and pud .
‘ Chocolate ’
It has handsome , fizgig - shaped emerald green foliage with striking , benighted burgundy stems and summer spire of purple blooms that pollinators adore .
works grow up to 24 inches tall and wide and are hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
you could find ‘ Chocolate ’ mintavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Learn to uprise cocoa mint in our guide .
3. Common
Unless they ’re grown in isolation or cultivated in a glasshouse setting , the manyMenthaspecies cross pollinate promptly , which has resulted in stacks of naturally - occurring intercrossed mint varieties with occult lineages .
vulgar
But these hybrid still pack mass of flavour , fragrance , and verdure for the garden and can be used in all culinary applications .
Hardiness varies , but plants are commonly reliable in Zones 5 to 9 .
you’re able to find packets of 220 seeds availableat Botanical Interests .
4. Corsican
Delightful for its basis - hugging habit , Corsican mint ( M. requienii ) has tiny , rounded leaves that form beautiful , fragrant mats with a potent , sweetly spicy odour when bruised .
Plants grow one to three inches magniloquent and overspread up to 12 inches , give rise clump of small mauve to pinkish blossom in summertime .
Corsican
Able to hold out lite groundwork traffic , it make a lovely aromatic extract for put between pavers , growing as a ground screen , or spilling out of terrace planters .
Packets of come can be purchasedat Eden Brothers .
5. Kentucky Colonel
With a very sweet flavor , the dreary green , textured leaves ofM. spicata‘Kentucky Colonel ’ are a popular selection for baked goods , garnishes , herbal tea , jelly , and of path , iced drinks like juleps !
This vigorous cultivar score a pretty , fragrant choice for planter and kitchen gardens , produce terminal spike of pink flowers in summertime .
‘ Kentucky Colonel ’
Plants have a height and spread of 12 to 24 column inch and are hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
Starter plants areavailable at Burpee .
6. Lemon
M.xpiperitaf.citrata‘Lemon ’ is noted for its aromatic folio with a zesty lemon aroma that makes a delectable herbal tea leaf or a flavorer for amiable , fruit salads , jelly , and pesto .
A vigorous grower , plant reach a height and spread head of up to 18 inches and develop clusters of pretty mauve to purple flowers in summertime that attract legion pollinators .
Hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
7. Mitcham
With an beguiling flavor and aroma , M.×piperita‘Mitcham , ’ aka English mint , has large , wrinkled leaves with a pleasant crunch , and very sweet sapidity – a top pick for flavorful sunbaked goodness , jelly , and tea .
Beautiful , dense spires of tiny mauve to royal flowers mould from summertime into autumn , attract bees and butterfly .
Give these plants some room as they develop up to 36 inches tall and spread up to 60 inch . Hardy in Zones 4 to 9 .
8. Mojito
come from Cuba , Mojito mint , M.xvillosa , has big leave-taking with a mild flavour and citrusy notes that make it an first-class choice for hot and cold beverages as well as dipping sauces , marinade , and salad dressings .
Mojito
Mojito mint flora grow up to 24 inches tall with a spread of up to 36 inches .
Spreading speedily , it makes a fast - growing ground cover or can be cultivated in pots to keep ontogeny in check . Hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
9. Orange
A citrusy delight , M.xpiperitaf.citrata‘Orange ’ has soft , rounded leaves with a lively , refreshing combination of orangeness and menthol notes that give bright , clean flavors to sweet , fertilisation , fruit or food grain salads , herbal teas , iced boozing , and jelly – or anything chocolate !
‘ orangeness ’
Plants develop up to 24 inches improbable and wide and farm lovely spire of mauve to pink flowers for attracting pollinators . domesticate in planters and kitty to curtail their vigorous increment . Hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
you could feel starter plantsavailable at Burpee .
10. Pennyroyal
Once widely used in traditional common people medicine , pennyroyal , M. pulegium , has lowly , minute leave-taking and is now mostly turn as an ornamental for its warm aroma and pretty tufts of mauve peak . Note that these plants can be toxic if ingested in big doses .
Pennyroyal
A low - growing or erect creeper , pennyroyal grow six to 12 inch tall and can broadcast as much as 36 inches .
Pennyroyal is ideal as a ground cover or can be rise in planters to keep their bed cover incorporate . Hardy in Zones 6 to 9 .
Seeds in a variety of packet sizes areavailable at genuine Leaf Market .
11. Peppermint
One of the best know wad varieties , peppermint ( M.×piperita ) is popular in the garden for its obscure green foliage with a substantial , crispy aroma that add delicious , angelical flavor to hot or cold beverage , fruit dishes , pesto , sauces , salad , and chilled soups .
Plants develop 24 to 36 inch magniloquent and propagate up to 24 inches , producing gorgeous spires of mauve to purple flowers in summertime .
Eucalyptus amygdalina
Another full-bodied agriculturalist that can take over the garden , cultivate in containers to make out its spread . Hardy in Zones 3 to 11 .
Organic seeds in a variety of packet sizes areavailable at straight Leaf Market .
Or you may purchase two - packs of three - inch potsat Walmart .
And do n’t forget tocheck out our guide to growing peppermintfor more data .
12. Pineapple
Grown for both culinary and ornamental purposes , pineapple muckle , M. suaveolens‘Variegata , ’ is one of the most attractive salmagundi .
The subdued , wooly leaves of jade green with cream or yellow edging have a sweet , tropic fragrance and make a tasty accession to cocktails , desserts , yield salads , and punch .
Pineapple
Pineapple mint plants grow in clumps of 24 to 36 column inch magniloquent and spacious and are slower growing than other variety , spend a penny them worthy for bed or container . Hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
13. Spearmint
esteem for its bright , refreshing smack , spearmint , M. spicata , has narrow-minded , lance - shaped leave popularly used in cold and hot beverages , candies , afters , dressings , salads , and sauce .
Plants maturate 12 to 24 inches tall and wide and germinate multiple spike of soft mauve flowers in late summertime .
Spearmint
Vigorous ontogeny can make it belligerent in the garden but plants are easily naturalise in container . Hardy in geographical zone 3 to 11 .
Container - grown plants areavailable at Nature Hills Nurseryand seed in a variety of packet sizes can be purchasedat Eden Brothers .
Learn more about grow spearmint in our template .
14. Watermint
A water buff that grow mainly in wetland , watermint or weewee mint , M. aquatica , has dark green , fragrant leaves that are used in parched goods , herbal teas , iced beverage , and salads .
Watermint produce 12 to 24 inches tall with a spreading of 24 to 36 inches and bears rounded tuft of purple flowers in late summertime .
An excellent choice for sloshed localisation like bogs , creekbanks , and water gardens . Hardy in geographical zone 5 to 11 .
15. Wild
gaga mint , aka Canada wad , M. canadensis , is a extremely redolent North American native with long and narrow dark green leave that have a burgundy tinge .
The abrupt , cool flavor is typical and plant have a higher menthol content than most mass varieties .
A popular option for foragers , it ’s used in drink , culinary app , and folk medicine .
This species enjoys a wetter surround than most other varieties , and grows well beside brook banks , ponds , springs , and in moist meadows .
Plants grow 12 to 18 column inch tall , spread up to 24 inches , and arise concluding tufts of pink to mauve peak from midsummer onwards .
Cooly Refreshing
With its bright , cool , and refreshing flavor , flock is a favorite herbaceous plant with many culinary use .
Be certain to visitour sister site , Foodal , for an awing selection of recipes – themint and lime ginger splashis one of my favorite summer drink to cool off down on a hot summer day !
And in the garden , mint can be enjoyed as a fragrant , fast raise ground top , a potted kitchen herbaceous plant , or as a pretty cosmetic for its garden pink to royal flower spikes that attract bees , butterflies , and other pollinators .
These easily cultivated perennials can spread aggressively , but you may still enjoy growing them because they make first-class container plants , which is an easy agency to manipulate their vigorous ontogenesis .
And with numerous species and cultivars to choose from , there are plenteousness of fragrant , flavorful types to cultivate and revel !
Formore information about the care and cultivation of mint , bestow these article to your reading lean next :
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Lorna Kring
