Mentha 'Blackcurrant'

RHS Plant Profile
mint 'Blackcurrant'
Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial

A perennial herb, with sprawling, slightly hairy stems and aromatic, toothed green leaves flushed with purple. Leaves have a mint and blackcurrant scent. Clusters of small, pale purple flowers are produced in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

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 a poor, moist but well drained soil in full sun or light shade. May have the potential to become a nuisance; restrict its spread by planting in deep containers and plunging them into the soil, or by growing in small, contained beds. Plants grown in pots will benefit from dividing every few years. See mint cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn, by softwood cuttings in spring, or by root cuttings any time during the growing period

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back old stems at the end of the year to ground level

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust