Types of Mint to Grow

Mint is a ubiquitous herb that is well known for its cooling properties.

[b]Catmint[/b]

Many people associate peppermint and spearmint for freshening the breath.

Yet there are many other types of mint that are beneficial and can unquestionably be grown in the garden.

First, it's foremost to know that mint belongs to the family with the Latin name of Labiatae. The herbs in this family are numerous as there are hundreds of varieties of mint.

These consist of varieties such as chocolate mint, the well known spearmint, water mint, apple mint, pineapple mint, ginger mint, candy mint, black peppermint, Eau de cologne mint, red spearmint, Eau de Cologne mint, catmint/catnip and the lovely groundcover Corsican mint.

Other members of the mint family that are lesser known consist of lemon balm (also known as balm), bergamot, horehound, marjoram and pennyroyal.

While some herbs are grown or remedial or culinary uses, others are naturally grown for attractive uses. This includes Corsican mint and pennyroyal.

Pennyroyal is used as an insect repellant and should not be ingested as it is poisonous. The herb has been used in flea collars for dogs and cats and can be dried for that purpose.

Corsican mint is a dense low growing groundcover that forms a rug of tiny, piquant green leaves which have the alluring scent of creme de menthe.

This herb is great for walkways, rock gardens, outside ugly spots between paving stones and spilling over walls or out of urns. A dense patch of Corsican mint can take the place of grass and form a 'lawn' that never needs to be cut. It does, however, need part shade to grow best as full sun will dry it out and burn the leaves.

Despite it's piquant scent, Corsican mint does not have any culinary use.

Most of the other mints are upright plants and do not make good groundcovers. However, like Corsican mint, most mints prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil rich in nutrients.

However, this does not always apply to the lesser known members of the mint family such as lemon balm, bergamot, horehound and pennyroyal.

Lemon balm, bergamot and horehound are herbs that prefer full sun. This is also true for catmint and catnip. However, these herbs don't mind some shade for part of the day. Pennyroyal does well in the shade or in a sun/part shade combination.

So when growing a particular herb in the mint family, it is best to check the growing conditions for that plant. Some of the herbs, like horehound, do best in a dryish, more alkaline soil.

While many members of the mint family are known more for the use of their leaves, bergamot is one that has remarkable flowers and is grown more for attractive use than culinary.

The culinary varieties of mint can be harvested to make tea and it is always fun to make herbal tea blends, such as a lemon balm/peppermint combination. Yet the mint family has so many more attributes it is worthwhile to scrutinize the gardening secrets as well as harvesting, culinary and remedial uses.

Types of Mint to Grow