Mentha

The genus Mentha contains more than 15 species of herbaceous perennial rhizomatous, shoot-bearing (forming thin creeping stems, from the nodes of which leaves and roots grow) plants, some of them, among other things, are also valued from a decorative point of view. These species are characterized by small tubular white, pink or purple flowers blooming in summer, collected in inflorescences. The fragrant mint leaves are rich in essential oils. The most common type, or rather a hybrid, obtained from water mint (Mentha aquatica) and green mint (M. viridis) is peppermint (M. piperita). It grows up to 1.2-1.3 m in height. Elongated leaves with a serrated edge sit on a pubescent stem of square cross-section. Inflorescences are located at the ends of the shoots. The flowers are usually four-petaled pink or lilac in color. Numerous garden forms have been developed. Water mint (M. aquatica) can often be found along the banks of rivers in conditions of natural growth. The color of the peduncle and leaves has a purple hue. They emit an unpleasant smell. The stem of green mint (M. viridis) is smooth. The leaves are oblong, oval, pointed, with a serrated edge. Purple flowers are collected in loose spike-shaped inflorescences. Roundleaf mint (M. rotundifolia) is a 30 cm tall plant. Egg-shaped fluffy leaves of light green color. Small flowers are white or light purple in color. The plant has a strong aroma and is widely used in cooking. Spearmint (M. spicata) grows up to 70-80 cm in height. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate sessile (attached directly to the branch). Pinkish flowers are collected in an inflorescence in which alternate flowers and leaves. Peduncles are reddish. Requena mint (M. requienii) is a plant up to 40 cm tall with pubescent thin creeping stems. Oval leaves are covered with short down. The flowers are small light purple in a whorl inflorescence. The leaves give off a pleasant smell. Blooms in summer. This species is most widely used in decorative gardening.

The genus Mentha contains more than 15 species of herbaceous perennial rhizomatous, shoot-bearing (forming thin creeping stems, from the nodes of which leaves and roots grow) plants, some of them, among other things, are also valued from a decorative point of view. These species are characterized by small tubular white, pink or purple flowers blooming in summer, collected in inflorescences. The fragrant mint leaves are rich in essential oils.

The most common type, or rather a hybrid, obtained from water mint (Mentha aquatica) and green mint (M. viridis) is peppermint (M. piperita). It grows up to 1.2-1.3 m in height. Elongated leaves with a serrated edge sit on a pubescent stem of square cross-section. Inflorescences are located at the ends of the shoots. The flowers are usually four-petaled pink or lilac in color. Numerous garden forms have been developed.

Water mint (M. aquatica) can often be found along the banks of rivers in conditions of natural growth. The color of the peduncle and leaves has a purple hue. They emit an unpleasant smell.

The stem of green mint (M. viridis) is smooth. The leaves are oblong, oval, pointed, with a serrated edge. Purple flowers are collected in loose spike-shaped inflorescences.

Roundleaf mint (M. rotundifolia) is a 30 cm tall plant. Egg-shaped fluffy leaves of light green color. Small flowers are white or light purple in color. The plant has a strong aroma and is widely used in cooking.

Spearmint (M. spicata) grows up to 70-80 cm in height. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate sessile (attached directly to the branch). Pinkish flowers are collected in an inflorescence in which alternate flowers and leaves. Peduncles are reddish.

Requena mint (M. requienii) is a plant up to 40 cm tall with pubescent thin creeping stems. Oval leaves are covered with short down. The flowers are small light purple in a whorl inflorescence. The leaves give off a pleasant smell. Blooms in summer. This species is most widely used in decorative gardening.

Cultivation

Mint is grown in the open ground (mainly as an aromatic and sometimes as an ornamental plant), planted in rock gardens and rocky gardens, on slopes, as well as in pots on balconies and terraces. It requires loose, humus-rich, non-dry soils. Mint is a semi-shade-tolerant plant. On a permanent place of planting, it is planted in spring (in cold climates) or in autumn. When growing in the open ground, they are fed with organic fertilizers (manure, compost-1.0-1.5 kg/m2), in a pot - full mineral fertilizer (50-100 g per bucket of earth). In spring and summer, once every 2 weeks, a complex liquid fertilizer (5 ml per bucket) is added to the water for irrigation. Since the plant grows quickly and can play the role of a weed, its excessive development is restrained. For example, you can limit its landing site with a barrier made of stones or tiles.

Mint is grown in the open ground (mainly as an aromatic and sometimes as an ornamental plant), planted in rock gardens and rocky gardens, on slopes, as well as in pots on balconies and terraces. It requires loose, humus-rich, non-dry soils. Mint is a semi-shade-tolerant plant. On a permanent place of planting, it is planted in spring (in cold climates) or in autumn. When growing in the open ground, they are fed with organic fertilizers (manure, compost-1.0-1.5 kg/m2), in a pot - full mineral fertilizer (50-100 g per bucket of earth). In spring and summer, once every 2 weeks, a complex liquid fertilizer (5 ml per bucket) is added to the water for irrigation. Since the plant grows quickly and can play the role of a weed, its excessive development is restrained. For example, you can limit its landing site with a barrier made of stones or tiles.

Location

Mint grows well in the open sun, but it is also suitable for partial shade.

Temperature

Peppermint and spearmint are stable and unpretentious species. Water mint is less resistant to temperature fluctuations, as well as Reken mint. Frost-resistant types and forms are not afraid of winter sub-zero temperatures. After all, even if the aboveground part of the plant is damaged by frost, in the spring new shoots will appear from the underground part.

Watering

In hot dry periods, plants are watered abundantly.

Transplant

Transplanting potted plants into a new pot is done only as needed, in the spring. Use a slightly larger pot than the previous one, filling it with earth similar to that recommended for growing.

Care

In potted plants, yellowed leaves and damaged flower-bearing stems are removed.

Reproduction

Propagate by dividing the rhizome at the end of flowering in autumn or early spring.

Diseases

Very dangerous is Puccinia mentae, a type of rust that causes first reddish, then brown abscesses to form on the leaves. In this case, the infected peduncles are immediately removed, after which they are treated with fungicidal preparations.

Acquisition

In spring, mint is easy to buy at plant-based stores and supermarkets. In other periods of the year, plants can be purchased in nurseries that grow spicy-aromatic crops. You can buy very small plants that will grow quickly in the future in a short time. Check that there are no yellowed leaves or signs of rust.

A thousand ways to use it Peppermint is used to make an excellent tincture that has a sedative effect, which also relieves nausea in case of indigestion. In addition, an antiseptic oil is obtained. Crushed leaves help to relieve toothache, tincture-headache. Mint is also used in the confectionery industry (in particular, for flavoring caramel) and pharmaceutical production (for example, toothpastes). Round-leaved mint and spikelet mint are used in cooking to flavor dishes and prepare sauces. Fresh leaves of marsh mint (M. pulegium) have repellent properties. properties.

A thousand ways to use it

Peppermint is used to make an excellent tincture that has a sedative effect, which also relieves nausea in case of indigestion. In addition, an antiseptic oil is obtained. Crushed leaves help to relieve toothache, tincture-headache. Mint is also used in the confectionery industry (in particular, for flavoring caramel) and pharmaceutical production (for example, toothpastes). Round-leaved mint and spikelet mint are used in cooking to flavor dishes and prepare sauces. Fresh leaves of marsh mint (M. pulegium) have repellent properties. properties.