Ginger Mint

Commonly known as Ginger Mint, this is a naturally occurring hybrid between Mentha arvensis and Mentha spicata. It is one of the most decorative of all the mints, featuring bright green leaves that are strikingly splashed and striped with vivid gold. This variegation stays sharp and bright throughout the growing season, provided it gets enough light. The foliage has a warm, spicy scent with a distinct hint of ginger, making it a superb choice for adding a unique flavour to fruit salads, cocktails, or hot teas. In late summer, it produces small whorls of mauve flowers. Like most mints, it is a vigorous grower that spreads via underground stolons; to prevent it from becoming a nuisance in the herb bed, it should be confined to a container or a dedicated area. It thrives in moist, fertile soil and appreciates partial shade, which prevents the yellow variegation from scorching in the midday sun. It is fully hardy in the UK.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, fertile soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Aug, Sep.