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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Mentha × gracilis

basil mint

A vigorous, spreading, perennial with upright stems bearing lance-shaped, slightly wrinkled, aromatic, dark green leaves. Whorled spikes of pale purple flowers appear in summer. Perfect for culinary use

Other common names

bushy mint
cardiac mint
see moreginger mint
redmint
Scotch mint
Scotch spearmint

Synonyms

Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Ginger'
Mentha × gentilis
see moreMentha × cardiaca

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or North–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)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Columnar upright
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 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 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to mint rust and powdery mildews

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