Some Things in Life Are Just Mint to Be

All About Mint: A Versatile Herb for Your Garden

Mint is one of the most popular herbs. Used for thousands of years for flavoring and as a medicine, it was chosen as the 1998 Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association.

“Mint is a great herb to have in the garden,” says Shirley Kerins, a Huntington Beach landscape architect who is curator of the herb garden at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino.

Mythological Origins

The name “mint” may have come from Menthe, the daughter of the river god Cocyte. According to Kerins, Menthe was content sitting by her father’s river until Hades, god of the underworld, fell in love with her. When Menthe begged her father to save her, he transformed her into a mint plant.

Culinary Uses

In cooking, mint can be used in a variety of ways. It’s a great addition to:

  • Tea and lemonade
  • Fruit salads
  • Sauces
  • Mint infusions (e.g., in icing for chocolate cake)

Varieties of Mint

There are over 600 varieties of mint, with new types appearing regularly due to its ease of hybridization. Mint can grow in a variety of colors, such as red, purple, white, cream, and silver, and in various heights.

Popular mint varieties include:

  • Mint-the-Best: Dark green leaves and pure spearmint flavor; grows up to 18 inches tall.
  • Bergamot: Peppermint with a slight orange flavor; grows to 2 feet.
  • Apple Mint: Mild apple fragrance in the leaves.
  • Chocolate Mint: Has a chocolate-like taste.
  • Pennyroyal: Known for repelling fleas.

Growing Mint in Your Garden

Mint grows year-round in mild climates and can be planted at any time. Follow these tips for successful mint cultivation:

  • Containerize Mint: Prevent aggressive spreading by growing mint in containers like hanging baskets or window boxes.
  • Use High-Quality Potting Mix: Choose a well-draining mix that retains moisture. Potting mixes with water-holding polymers are ideal.
  • Sunlight Requirements: Provide partial sun inland and full to partial sun in coastal areas.
  • Water Regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially in warm weather. Daily watering may be required in hot conditions.
  • Feed Mint: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once or twice per year.
  • Prune Regularly: Promote bushy growth by pinching back flowers and trimming frequently.

Visit the Orange County Herb Faire

The Orange County Herb Faire runs through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Fullerton Arboretum. Admission is $5; children under 17 and parking are free. Call (714) 278-3404 for more information.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning suspense served up with a dose of romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire. Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.