Common name: Apple Mint
Scientific name: Mentha suaveolens
Uses: Decorative, culinary, medicinal.Attractive flowers. For culinary use as a flavoring. Use in vinegars. Grows well in containers. Use for tea or for drying.
History: The variegated varieties are sometimes known as Pineapple mint. Mint is considered a sign of hospitality.
Description: Leaves are pubescent to tomentose and have a sweet scent. Leaves are also sessile and oblong to nearly ovate. Leaf margins are serrate.
Plant type: Perennial
Hardiness: Hardiness zone 5-9.
Height: 2 feet
Width: varies, spreads aggressively
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: rich, moist well drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0
Pests: Spider mites, looper, flea beetle, root borers, grasshopper, cutworm, root weevils, and aphids
Disease: verticillium wilt, mint rust and mint anthracnose
Cultivation: Can be sown from seed in flats or in the ground directly. Can be successfully propagated by cuttings: place cuttings in medium, keep moist, and transplant once the root system is well established. All mint can spread rather quickly by runners. Either contain it in pots that are buried or give it a large area it may take over. Frequent cuttings or mowing of large plots will keep mints at their prettiest. In late fall cut back to the ground and mulch if winters are severe.
Companion planting: Mint improves the growth and flavor of cabbage, broccoli, peas and tomatoes.
Propagation: Seed, cuttings.
Flowering period: July to August
Flower color: purple-pink
Harvesting: Harvest fresh leaves as needed. Just before blooming cut stalks and hang to dry; store in airtight containers.