Plant Dictionary: Mint Basics

PLANT O’ THE DAY: Mint – which granted is a little broad. There are over 600 varieties of mint. If you’re perplexed by which mint variety to plant narrow down what you’ll be using it for. For example if you’d like to make some insomnia mint tea, you may want to try a lemon mint, or for scented bouquets you could grow some apple scented applemint. You can look at a book about mint or talk to your local nursery to learn about native mints.

GROWING CONDITIONS: With over 600 types you might guess that there are plenty of growing conditions too. Generally though mint likes sun but can stand partial shade. It thrives well in moist but well drained soil and likes rich soil.

VISUALS: Again, with 600 varieties well… Mints come in a wide range of colors from green (shocking) to yellow, purple, white-green, and more. The leaves vary from plant to plant as do stems.

USES: You’ll want to pick leaves to use before the plant flowers and then you can dry, freeze, or use the leaves fresh or even infuse them in oils or vinegar. Each mint has it’s own special uses but here are some popular mint uses to ponder. Oh, note that Pennyroyal is a popular mint with a super strong scent so it can be nice in a garden, but it’s not edible. It’s a toxic mint.

• Spearmint can be infused in oil then inhaled from a handkerchief for cold relief.
• Peppermint is useful for all sorts of things. You can make a tea for tummy upset, colds, or the flu. You can rub a little essential mint oil along your temples and the back of your neck, along with a few drops of lavender for headache relief.
• You can use fresh or dried mint around the house instead of air fresheners.
• Scatter mint leaves (dried or fresh work) near food to deter mice or place pots of mint by your door to keep ants away.
• Use the leaves to garnish foods and ice cream (see the pretty raspberry mint cake above).

As noted, mint has tons of uses. Eventually we’ll look at mint specifics, but for now I wanted to broadly cover this herb. Which is your favorite mint?

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