Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Grapefruit'

RHS Plant Profile
grapefruit mint

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Synonyms

Mentha citrata 'Grapefruit'

Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous, spreading perennial with upright stems that bear whorls of ovate, wrinkled, citrus flavoured, semi-glossy, dark green leaves. Dense terminal spikes of small, tubular pale purple flowers appear in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Sand Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

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
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained soil in full or partial sun. May have the 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. This variety does tend to be less invasive than other mints. See mint cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back to ground level in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to mint rust and powdery mildews