How can you tell if a mint plant is real?
This means that the true mints (genus, Mentha) are related to such landscape plants as Salvia and catmint (Nepeta spp.). It's easy to tell whether you already have one of these plants growing in your yard: Mint family members always have square stems. It is easy to see why mints are so popular.
What does a mint plant look like in the summer?
Mint Plant Profile Botanical Name Mentha spp. Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Purple, pink, or white Hardiness Zones 3–11 (depends on species) Native Area Eurasia, North America, southern Africa, ... 7 more rows ...
How to care for mint plant?
1 Light. Mint plants prefer part shade, though you can grow it in full sun if you water it frequently. ... 2 Soil. Mint prefers a rich soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.5 and 7.0. ... 3 Water. One thing mint needs is constantly moist soil with adequate drainage. ... 4 Temperature and Humidity. ... 5 Fertilizer. ...
What are the different types of mint plants?
Types of Mint for the Garden. Listed below are some of the more commonly grown varieties of mint for the garden: Peppermint. Spearmint. Pineapple mint. Apple mint (Woolly mint)
How can you tell the difference between mint plants?
2:326:13Spearmint vs Peppermint What is the Difference? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I think that's where peppermint gets some of that purple coloration but spearmint can have purpleMoreSo I think that's where peppermint gets some of that purple coloration but spearmint can have purple stems and appear to have smooth leaves.
Is my mint peppermint or spearmint?
So if you grab a leaf of your garden mint and taste it, if it has a really strong minty aftertaste, you are dealing with peppermint. If you have a lighter flavor that borders on sweetness, you're most likely tasting spearmint.
What type of mint plant is?
Species from the mint (Mentha) genus are among the most commonly grown plants in North American gardens. They belong to a broader family of plants, Lamiaceae, that is called the "mint family." This means that the true mints (genus, Mentha) are related to such landscape plants as Salvia and catmint (Nepeta spp.).
How do I know if my mint plant is edible?
The best way to tell if it's edible is by seeing how it smells. For instance, peppermint and spearmint have a strong wintergreen aroma.
How can you tell the difference between mint and peppermint?
Mint has a sweet taste and produces a lingering cool effect on the tongue. Peppermint has the strongest flavour with more menthol taste. When compared to dried mint leaves, fresh leaves have more flavour and scent. Mint is a perennial and wide-spreading herb.
Which mint is used in mojitos?
SpearmintSave the most beautiful sprigs for garnishing your mojitos. Spearmint is my favorite mint variety for mojitos. As a plus, it's the easiest type of mint to find at grocery stores (if you see ambiguously labeled “mint,” it's probably spearmint). Spearmint is sweeter and more mellow than peppermint.
What type of mint is garden mint?
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the best garden mint, especially with peas. Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) for mint jelly.
Are there any poisonous mint plants?
Perilla mint has a shallow taproot and fibrous roots. Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures.
Is it OK to eat raw mint leaves?
Mint is a member of the Lamiaceae family, consisting of about 15 to 20 species, such as spearmint and peppermint, all of which are perfectly fine to eat raw or cooked. Mint leaves are a favored herb that people use, dried or fresh in many dishes and infusions.
Does mint have any poisonous look alikes?
There is at least one poisonous doppelganger, and it can even hybridize with edible mints, making unknown breeds of mint-like plants unsafe: Pennyroyal. So, it sounds like, for safety reasons, you should not eat unknown mint-like plants. I cook with Pennyroyal. In the proper amounts.
Growing Different Mint Plant Varieties
Most types of mint require the same, or similar, growing conditions. They like full sun to partial shade and most prefer moist, but well-draining,...
Choosing Mint Plant Varieties
Each mint variety has its own flavor or scent, though some may be similar. Most, however, vary greatly between mint types. Be sure the type you cho...
Types of Mint For The Garden
Listed below are some of the more commonly grown varieties of mint for the garden: 1. Peppermint 2. Spearmint 3. Pineapple mint 4. Apple mint (Wool...
Can you taste chocolate mint?
I certainly can't detect any chocolate taste in chocolate mint, but then it may be called that because it has a chocolatey colour in parts. In the end, whether you use it for culinary purposes or not is down to personal taste, but all varieties are, in growth, extremely invasive plants in open ground.
Is there a difference between spearmint and peppermint?
There is a big difference in taste between spearmint and peppermint, but detecting the difference in other varieties is difficult for lots of people because it's subtle, so unless the appearance is different, it's hard to tell.
Is chocolate mint purplish?
5. Just to confuse the picture even more, there is a chocolate mint which has purplish stolons. There are, in fact, hundreds of varieties of mint, some of which are commercially grown for oil extraction or for leaf drying, and a lot of which haven't even been given names, being known as Mint 341, etc. There is a big difference in taste between ...
How many varieties of mint are there?
There are literally hundreds of mint plant varieties and far too many to name here. However, a number of these mint types are commonly grown in the garden. Keep reading for information on how to grow some of these different varieties of mint.
Why do mint plants cross pollinate?
This can result in characteristics from different mint types to appear in one plant, leading to the loss of the plant’s integrity with unfavorable scents or flavors.
Is mint a flavor?
Each mint variety has its own flavor or scent, though some may be similar. Most , however, vary greatly between mint types. Be sure the type you choose not only is well suited to your growing region, but also its intended use in the garden.
Do mints grow in full sun?
Most types of mint require the same, or similar, growing conditions. They like full sun to partial shade and most prefer moist but well-draining soil.
Is mint a culinary plant?
Not all mint varieties are used for culinary purposes. Some are better utilized for their aromatic properties or aesthetic appearances while others, like field mint, are normally treated as medicinal plants.
What is the color of apple mint?
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.
What does chocolate mint taste like?
Chocolate mint, a peppermint relative, is an oddball: The "Chocolate" in its name comes from its smell, not its taste. Its taste is actually orangey. It is used to flavor both drinks and desserts. If you are interested in the aesthetic qualities of this herb, know that it bears foliage that is a darker green than most other types of mint, as well as lavender flowers.
What is the mint used for in rum?
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. But its function as a culinary herb goes beyond using it in mojitos: Try it, too to flavor teas, for example.
Why are mints so popular?
While they do bloom (in summer), their value is generally not in how they look but in the functions they serve. Mints serve as flavorful herbs in the kitchen and as ground covers in the yard. Their strong scent keeps deer from eating them.
What family are mints in?
They belong to a broader family of plants, Lamiaceae, that is called the "mint family.". This means that the true mints (genus, Mentha) are related to such landscape plants as Salvia and catmint ( Nepeta spp. ).
What is the botanical name for spearmint?
While spearmint gets its common name from the shape of its leaves, its botanical name could refer to either its foliage or its flowers, which occur on pointy spikes . The flowers are pink to pale violet. 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.
What is the use of peppermint?
The foliage is toothed along the margins and dark green. A common use for this herb is to flavor teas, but, as with most types of mint, it is also effective in potpourri.
How to grow mint indoors?
If you are growing your mint indoors, increase humidity by misting the plant between waterings or set the container on a water-filled tray of pebbles. This is especially necessary during the dry winter months.
What is the scent of mint?
Mints are easy to identify and not just because of their spicy scent—all members of the mint family have square stems, one of the identifying features of plants in the Mentha genus. According to the ASPCA, the essential oils in mint ...
What is the tangiest mint?
Mentha piperita citrata: Orange mint is one of the tangiest of the fruit-flavored mints. It grows in zones 4 to 11.
What is the best zone for mint?
Spearmint ( Mentha spicata) handles the heat best and can grow in zone 11. If you are growing your mint indoors, increase humidity by misting the plant between waterings or set the container on a water-filled tray of pebbles. This is especially necessary during the dry winter months.
What zone does spearmint grow in?
Spearmint ( Mentha spicata) handles the heat best and can grow in zone 11. If you are growing your mint indoors, increase humidity by misting the plant between waterings or set the container on a water-filled tray of pebbles. This is especially necessary during the dry winter months.
What is the flavor of Mentha piperita?
Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate': Chocolate mint, a first cousin of peppermint, has leaves with a minty-chocolate flavor and aroma.
What causes orange spots on mint leaves?
Common Pests and Diseases. Mint can sometimes get rust, which appears as small orange spots on the undersides of leaves. Use an organic fungicide and try to allow plants to dry between waterings. 2 Stressed plants may also be bothered by whitefly, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Article Sources.
How to tell if mint is a perennial?
Mint is a perennial herb with very fragrant, toothed leaves and tiny purple, pink, or white flowers. There are many varieties of mint—all fragrant, whether shiny or fuzzy, smooth or crinkled, bright green or variegated. However, you can always tell a member of the mint family by its square stem. Rolling it between your fingers, you’ll notice a pungent scent and think of candy, sweet teas, or maybe even mint juleps.
How to propagate mints?
The best way to propagate mints is by taking cuttings from those that you like best. It’s easy—take 6-inch cuttings of rooted stems and plant them horizontally in the soil. Mint stems will also root in a glass of water. Start with a small cutting from an established plant.
What is the best mint for salad?
Serious cooks generally prefer spearmint for savory dishes and peppermint for desserts. For a delicate mint taste in fruit salads, yogurt, or tea, try apple or orange mint. Mint lurks in the background in Middle Eastern salads, such as tabouli, and does well with lamb. It also goes with peas, zucchini, fresh beans, marinades for summer vegetables, cold soups, fruit salads, and cheese.
How to make flavored ice cubes?
Tip! Make flavored ice cubes by freezing trays of strong mint tea, then use the ice cubes for your drinks!
How long does it take for peppermint to grow?
Unless you block the advance, a pert peppermint plant can turn into a sprawling 4-foot giant in just 1 year. It’s not the stuff of horror movies, however. Mints benefit from picking and pruning. They are shallow-rooted and easy to pull out, so there’s no reason to worry, as long as you provide physical barriers such as walls, walkways, or containers.
How many times can you harvest mint?
You can harvest one mint plant two or three times in one growing season. You can also just pick the leaves as you need them. You can grow the plants indoors for fresh leaves throughout the winter. If you want to dry them, it’s best to cut the leaves right before flowering. Store the dried leaves in an airtight container.
What does mint mean?
Mint is a symbol for virtue. Find out more plant meanings here.
How to grow mint without it taking over your garden?
How to Grow Mint Without It Taking Over Your Whole Garden. Plant this herb and you'll always have its bright, refreshing scent and flavor around to enjoy. But it also has a tendency to quickly spread, so here's what you need to know to keep this vigorous plant contained. By Deb Wiley. Updated July 14, 2020.
How to dry mint leaves?
To air-dry mint, hang the stems upside down in small bundles or spread them loosely in a small tray. When the stems and leaves are brittle, remove the leaves and flowers and store them in airtight containers.
What About Catmint?
It grows in a similar way to herbal mint varieties, but its flavor is much more attractive to your cat than it will be for you. Catmint can be dried or used fresh. Many types of catmint species are grown in the garden for their attractive blue-purple, white, or pink flowers.
What is mint used for?
Mint has tons of different uses: Its fresh green leaves add a tangy punch to fruit salads, ice cream, sherbet, and brewed tea. It's a flavorful addition to a simple glass of still or sparkling water. And whoever heard of a mint julep without the mint? When you grow your own mint in your garden, you'll have a constant supply of this tasty, versatile herb. This perennial is tough and easy to grow, but the downside of its hardiness is that it can spread aggressively and become a weedy problem if you're not careful. Here's how to grow mint without letting it take over your entire garden and crowd your other plants
What zone is peppermint?
Peppermint ( Mentha x piperita) has a zingy flavor and comes in several cultivars, such as variegated. Zones 3-8
What diseases do mints have?
Common Mint Pests and Diseases. Mint can suffer from several plant diseases such as verticillium wilt, mint rust, mint anthracnose. If these strike, the best thing to do is get rid of your mint plants and get new, healthy ones.
How to keep mint from spreading?
This herb grows well in containers, so you can keep it from rambling through your landscape by putting it in at least a 12- to 16-inch-wide pot. If you still want to add the plant to a garden bed, first sink a plain, lightweight plastic container into the soil so the rim is just above ground level. That way, the pot won't show but it will still keep the herb in it under control.
How tall can a mint grow?
This tall mint can be up to 2-3 feet high, so grow it in a medium-sized pot.
What are the different types of mints?
There are Types of Mints for everything: For fragrance, grow Eau de Cologne and for cooking, plant Spearmint or Vietnamese mint. If you want to garnish your desserts with fruit-scented herbs, strawberry and apple mints are perfect. Grow peppermint for teas and horsemint for medicinal uses and if you have cats, don’t skip catmint!
What is the name of the mint that grows aggressively?
Like other types of mints, it grows aggressively, and that’s why it’s better to confine it in a pot before planting on the ground. 18. Mojito Mint. vivianfriesen. Botanical Name: Mentha × villosa. Also, goes by the common name Cuban mint (Yerba Buena), compared to other varieties, it has a warm and mild flavor.
What is the botanical name for spearmint?
Botanical Name: Mentha spicata. Spearmint or Common mint is probably number one when it comes to culinary uses. It has narrow and green leaves with a pleasing scent, milder than peppermint. The herb is also known as Lamb mint because of its special uses in lamb and potato dishes.
What is a slender mint?
Slender Mint. sugarcreekgardens. Botanical Name: Mentha diemenica. This dwarf 6 inches high mint is frost-hardy and native to Australia. Slender mint looks different from other types of mints. It can be used as common mints. Learn more about it here.
How tall is Mentha piperita?
Botanical Name: Mentha piperita ‘Lavendula’. One of the most beautiful types of mints that you can grow for ornamental purposes. Plant this 2 feet tall variety in your garden in the form of an informal hedge.
What is the flavor of Egyptian mint?
Egyptian mint is as old as ancient Egypt and has a reference in the Pharaoh’s times as well. This culinary herb has a scent like an applemint, and the flavor is milder than peppermint and spearmint. It has a strong upright stem with fuzzy leaves. It finds its uses in Savory dishes and teas and is also used as a skin toner too.
