The mint genus contains between 20 and 30 species. It's not that easy to distinguish between them visually. The following overview of obvious attributes aims to contribute to the identification of popular species and varieties.
Which types of mint are suitable for the garden?
Popular types of mint include peppermint (Mentha x piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), Polei mint (Mentha pulegium), water mint (Mentha aquatica) and Moroccan mint. They differ in flower color, leaf shape and height and are suitable for beds and balconies.
The 5 best types of mint for beds and balconies
Not every herb plant has a name tag. When looking for suitable mint plants for the garden, you can determine the most popular types based on the following characteristics:
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): light purple spike flowers, stalked leaves 3-7 mm long, 50-90 cm tall
- Green mint - spearmint (Mentha spicata): pale-pink cylindrical flowers, opposite, sessile leaves, height up to 120 cm
- Polei mint (Mentha pulegium): hairy, light pink flowers in the leaf axils, oval leaves, height 10-50 cm
- Watermint (Mentha aquatica): pink spherical flowers, egg-shaped leaves, hairy stems, height up to 90 cm
Mother Nature went to great lengths with Moroccan mint and produced an extra aromatic natural hybrid. With a growth height of up to 50 centimeters, this species remains comparatively small, so it thrives wonderfully in a pot on the balcony. Here it impresses with tiny bell-shaped flowers, arranged in the shape of a spike.
Great mint varieties for connoisseurs who like to experiment
If you not only want to identify types of mint, but also love surprises, try the following varieties:
- Chocolate mint (Mentha x piperita var. piperita “Chocolate”): reminiscent of the taste of ‘After Eight’, height 60 cm
- Strawberry mint (Mentha species): offers a fruity experience in scent and enjoyment, growth height 50 cm
- Mojito mint (Mentha species 'Nemorosa'): rich in valuable menthol, height 50 cm
- Banana mint (Mentha arvensis 'Banana'): a delicate-leaved variety for sweet dishes, height 50 cm
A variety with wonderful ornamental value comes under the name Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'). It not only enchants with a fresh, fruity scent. Their white, variegated leaves compete with many ornamental foliage plants in perennial beds. Dried into bouquets, the pineapple mint decorates the house for many months.
Tips & Tricks
Prepared as a tea with plenty of sugar, Moroccan mint serves as the national drink. Well-stocked Moroccan shops sometimes carry the plant as a rooted specimen in a pot. If you want to save yourself the hassle of sowing, you will receive a ready-made herb plant for the bed and balcony.
