Mint 'Banana Mint'

Mentha suaveolens 'Banana Mint' is a charming and unusual culinary mint, offering a unique fruity twist to the traditional mint flavour in UK gardens. This particular cultivar is a delightful hybrid, producing bright green, slightly wrinkled leaves that, when bruised, release a distinct aroma reminiscent of ripe bananas with undertones of spearmint. Like most mints, it's a vigorous perennial that thrives in partial shade to full sun and moist, well-drained soil, though it's best grown in containers or with root barriers to prevent rampant spreading. In summer, it produces spikes of small, pale pink or white flowers, attractive to pollinators. 'Banana Mint' is a fantastic addition to fruit salads, desserts, cold drinks, or as a garnish for exotic dishes, providing a conversation-starting flavour. It's reliably hardy (H5) in most UK regions. Its unique scent and flavour profile make it a fun and rewarding herb for both adventurous cooks and collectors of unusual plants, offering continuous harvests throughout the warmer months.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug, Sep.