Global menu

The Green pages

Mint

English
  • Herbs
Mint (Mentha spicata)
Photo: Jardin botanique de Montréal (Josée Bouthot)
Mentha spicata
  • Mentha spicata
  • Mentha spicata

Onglets

Botany

Origin and description

There are about thirty species of mint worldwide. The cultivars most commonly grown as herbs, with a wide range of flavours and aromas, are derived from species native to Europe and/or Asia. Mint has been used as a medicinal and culinary plant since antiquity.

Cycle: Perennial.
Spacing: 60-90 cm.
Height: 30-90 cm.

Species, cultivars and related plants

M. x piperita 'Citrata' has an orange flavour, and M. suavolens 'Variegata' has variegated leaves and tastes like pineapple.

Common name

Mint

Latin name (genus)

Mentha spp.

English common name

Mint

French common name

Menthe

Botanical family

  • Lamiaceae
Horticulture

Growing conditions

Exposure: Partial shade

Pruning and maintenance

Can become invasive.

Propagation

Sow seed indoors in March-April.
Divide in spring or fall.
Stem cuttings in spring.

Use

Culinary use: Leaves, fresh, dried, frozen

See also

Pests and diseases
Physiological disorders