Flowering Mint Plant
Flowering mint plants are a perennial herb. They are easy to grow and can be grown successfully in an herb garden outside, along a walkway, or even as a houseplant. In fact, they are so easy to grow care must be taken to keep them under control or they will take over the entire garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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There are many different types of flowering mint. Banana mint, peppermint and chocolate mint are only a few of the wide variety of flowering mint plants. Each has its own distinctive mint flavor. Plant different types of mints 1 to 2 feet apart to avoid cross-pollination between them.
Features
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Flowering mint plants are hardy perennial herbs that grow to a height of 1 1/2 to 3 feet depending on the variety. They produce pink, white, blue or purple flowers during the summer months but most people do not grow them for their flowers. The leaves of the plant produce mint flavoring for foods, herbal tea and herbal remedies.
The peppermint-type flowering mint plant is the only variety that produces seeds. All other varieties do not produce seeds. They are propagated from root cuttings of other plants. Peppermint plants may be propagated this way as well.
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Water
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Water flowering mint plants regularly. They prefer to be kept moist. Mulch them to a depth of 2 to 3 inches to help retain moisture.
Soil
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Plant flowering mints in a rich soil with a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Mix some compost into the soil just before planting.
Light
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Flowering mint plants prefer full sun or partial shade.
Considerations
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Flowering mint will quickly spread throughout a garden if it is not contained. Plant the flowering mint in the garden within a container.
Pinch off the flowers as the plant blooms to encourage more abundant leaf growth.
The leaves can be used fresh or dried or frozen for later use. Wash and chop the leaves prior to freezing and freeze them immediately to preserve the mint flavor.
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References
- Photo Credit mint and snail image by Lytse from Fotolia.com
