Mentha arvensis

RHS Plant Profile

corn mint

Other common names

field mint, mintys yr ŷd

Synonyms

Mentha angustifolia Host
Mentha subcordata
Mentha austriaca

Herbaceous Perennial

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A variable herbaceous perennial about 10-60cm tall, with creeping rhizomes, and often reddish-purple stems bearing slightly hairy, aromatic mid-green leaves to 6cm long, held in pairs. The flowers are small, tubular andd pale mauve, in ball-shaped clusters forming a spike in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Poorly–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Spreading branched
Genus: Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained soil in full or partial sun. May have to potential to become a nuisance; restrict the root run in a deep container and plunge into the ground, or plant in a well chosen site where it can grow unrestricted. See mint cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by division or by cuttings at any time of year

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free