Mentha lavender mint

RHS Plant Profile

lavender mint

Synonyms

Mentha 'Lavender'
Mentha × citrata 'Lavender'

Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary

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A rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with edible lavender-scented, rounded dark green leaves with a purple and orange blush, and pale purple to pink flowers which appear in the summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: 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: Suckering
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 poor, moist soil in full sun. May have to potential to become a nuisance; plant in deep containers and plunge these into the soil to restrict growth. See mint cultivation for further details

Propagation

Propagate by planting portions of rhizome any any time during the growing season; pot these up until they are established. Root-tip cuttings can be taken in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back at the end of the growing season

Pests

May be susceptible to green mint beetle, blue mint beetle, mint moth and sage leaf hopper

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and a rust, especially during drought