19 Mint Varieties For Your Edible Garden

Mint is a staple in most gardens. Not only because it is recommended as a beginner-friendly, low-maintenance herb, but also because mint is nearly impossible to get rid of once it’s taken root in the soil.

You can restrain mint if it’s planted properly, and it isn’t just the classic spearmint variety we taste in teas and toothpaste. There is actually a long list of species and cultivars, offering subtle flavors, fragrances, and textures that will surprise even seasoned gardening pros.

Spearmint

Perhaps the most classic variety, this common mint is a standard culinary herb often used in tea, lamb dishes, candy, and ice cream. Spearmint is as notorious for its flavor as it is for its rampant growth. Once you plant mint in the ground, you may always have it in the ground.

This perennial grows aggressively as long as it gets a few hours of sunlight with rhizomes that extend underground, spreading the plant quickly. It’s difficult to remove since so much of the spreading portion of the plant is underground.

If you’d like to grow it without worrying about its spread, grow this plant in a container that restricts its rhizomes.

Peppermint

Peppermint has a higher concentration of menthol in its leaves than its spear alternative, which is what makes it more pungent and causes a cooling sensation in your mouth. This chilly herb also has slightly darker, smoother leaves.

Otherwise, peppermint and spearmint are very similar, especially concerning their aggressive spread. This plant grows up to about three feet tall and only needs a few hours of light each day to flourish.

Plant peppermint in a container, and consider keeping it on your porch or somewhere where the drainage holes won’t touch the grass. You’d be surprised how quickly the rhizomes could shoot through the drainage holes and make their way into your lawn.

Chocolate

Mint is frequently associated with desserts, so the fact that a chocolate mint exists is no surprise. This perennial doesn’t have a strong chocolate flavor, but it definitely has a chocolate fragrance, making it ideal as a dessert garnish.

‘Chocolate’ grows in somewhat shaded areas but tolerates full sun. This cultivar only reaches about two feet in height, making it one of the shorter entries on this list, but its rhizomes are no less aggressive.

Grow ‘Chocolate’ in a pot to keep it in check, or if you’re particularly bold, you can use it as a fresh, aromatic ground cover. Whatever you choose, butterflies will love the lavender blooms.

Catnip

Catnip, often called catmint, is technically not in the Mentha genus, but it is indeed in Lamiaceae, the mint family. When you look at the feline favorite, you can see the similarities. 

This perennial looks just like mint to the untrained eye. When you give it a sniff, you’ll discover the catnip is a bit more musty and spicy. This herb is also prized for culinary use, often used in teas.

N. cataria is the host plant for a couple species of moths, a group of insects whose populations are declining. Plant ‘Catnip’ like other mint varieties in your garden, or keep it in an indoor pot for your cats to appreciate. Don’t be surprised if the neighborhood cats suddenly make your acquaintance as well.

Mojito

Mojito mint is the perfect choice for anyone who hopes to use their herbs to garnish a lot of cocktails. This hybrid variety is a bit more mild and has a citrusy kick to it, complimenting lime, sugar, and rum for a fresh summer mojito.

This perennial is hardy in zones 5 through 11, so even gardeners in hotter climates can rely on this fun herb. It will prosper as long as you give it some sun; even just a few hours is enough. Plan for Mentha x villosa to reach about two feet tall.

This low-maintenance mint variety isn’t picky about soil, either. You may even be able to grow indoors most of the year if you have a south-facing window.

Margarita

Similarly, Mentha ‘Margarita’ is another herb that accompanies a cocktail. ‘Margarita’ leaves have a lime hint to them, and those natural essential oils add depth of flavor to drinks. If alcoholic beverages aren’t your jam, you could use this herb to make tea.

‘Margarita’ is a slower spreader than its Lamiaceae family members, as it doesn’t have underground rhizomes. This perennial will still send out above-ground runners, which will creep around, root, and send up new shoots, but you can easily contain the growth in a pot.

‘Margarita’ is also a bit smaller, reaching only about one foot tall and two feet wide at its maturity. Overall, it’s a much more manageable mint than most others.

Apple

Apple mint is one of multiple Mentha species reminiscent of a specific fruit. M. suaveolens, smells and tastes a bit like apples. Its fruity taste lends itself to many dishes. It’s more commonly used in Europe where it’s native, but you can grow this species as a perennial in zones 5 through 9.

This variety is another rhizomatic spreader, so be careful where you plant it if you don’t want an apple-scented takeover. This plant grows up to two feet tall with a wide, 5-foot spread, and pollinators love its dainty, light pink flower spikes.

This low-maintenance plant is a great alternative to other Mentha varieties if you like a milder taste.

Banana

M. arvensis ‘Banana’ is another fruity herb in the Lamiaceae family. Its leaves truly smell like bananas. Can you think of a better garnish for a banana split or a banana daiquiri? 

‘Banana’ is one of the smaller varieties on this list, reaching only about 18 inches tall. It has small, insignificant purple flowers that pale in comparison to its noteworthy, fragrant leaves, but pollinators still flock to it.

You can grow ‘Banana’ in full sun or a little shade, and it tolerates most soil types. However, these plants won’t appreciate rocky or sandy soils. They don’t like to dry out.

‘Banana’ doesn’t reliably grow from seed, so purchase a young plant at a nursery or root some cuttings from a friend.

Orange

Orange mint is another fruity Mentha variety. Thanks to the name, it should come as no surprise that this perennial has a citrus taste and fragrance, reminiscent of bergamot.

This species can reach about two feet tall, especially if watered regularly and given lots of light. It grows aggressively in zones 4 through 8, but gardeners in cooler regions can grow it as an annual.

Perhaps growing it as an annual is best, because this plant will continue to multiply in the face of neglect, spreading through underground rhizomes. It’s happy in most soils. As long as it gets a little bit of sun each day, it will slowly take over your space if you allow it.

Pineapple

The fruity varieties continue with pineapple mint, which is actually a variegated cultivar of M. suaveolens, aka apple mint. ‘Variegata’ not only tastes like pineapple but also has beautiful, cream-colored variegation on its leaves.

‘Variegata’ may be one of the few Mentha varieties that you would grow based on appearance alone, given its unique leaves. The plant also produces white, dainty flower stalks that complement the light-colored tones in the leaves.

That said, ‘Variegata’ is still very much an edible herb. Its pineapple-y flavor adds a slight tropical kick to drinks, desserts, and savory dishes. Plus, it makes a pretty garnish.

Strawberry

Finally, we have strawberry mint, yet another fruity cultivar. ‘Strawberry’ leaves smell and taste a bit like strawberries, adding a fruity twist to the classic flavor. It’s a great choice to grow in a window balcony box for when you just want to add a bit of flavor to your drink.

‘Strawberry’ is a slightly more compact cultivar, reaching about two feet in height. Overall, it’s somewhat less vigorous than other Mentha plants, though it still thrives without much care and in most conditions.

With so many “fruit” varieties, you can add a serious diversity of flavor to your edible garden without even straying from one genus. If you decide to collect them, keep as many in pots as possible.

Moroccan

‘Moroccan’ is a cultivar that’s somewhat sweet and a bit milder than spearmint, and it’s the preferred mint in Moroccan cuisine. It’s most often used in Moroccan tea alongside green tea leaves and sugar.

This cultivar has bright, crinkled green leaves and reaches about two feet in height. Plant ‘Moroccan’ instead of spearmint if you’re looking for something refreshing but not too spicy. Its fragrance is also known for its pungency and aromatic qualities.

Of course, if you reside within hardiness zones 5 through 11, be aware that it’s a vigorous grower. Don’t plant it directly into the ground unless you’re committed to ‘Moroccan’ for life. Its small, white flowers do make it an attractive ground cover.

Lavender

Lavender mint is the common name for ‘Lavandula,’ a cultivar of peppermint. It has red stems, characteristic green leaves, and light purple flowers that resemble lavender. The leaves have a delicate, floral fragrance as well.

Do not underestimate the spreading power of ‘Lavandula.’ It expands quickly in a wide range of hardiness zones, tolerating most soils, though it only reaches a couple of feet tall.

If you like floral flavor, ‘Lavandula’ is a low-maintenance herb that you could grow for tea. You could even keep ‘Lavandula’ in a pot near a south-facing kitchen window during the colder seasons or all year long to prevent its robust spreading nature.

Ginger

Ginger mint has a gingery fragrance, which means that this variety is yet another great option for tea. Plus, insects are repelled by the scent of ginger, so you can also use this hybrid as a companion plant in the garden.

If you dare to plant this perennial directly in the ground, choose a spot with full sunlight. It will grow in some shade, too. Ginger mint is not picky about soil type as long as it gets somewhat consistent moisture. Note that it does spread through rhizomes and will hog garden real estate. 

Though this hybrid isn’t very well-known for the garden, you’ve probably tasted it before. It’s used as an ingredient in both Scotch candies and chewing gum. 

Curly

If you’re looking for a Mentha species to add to your edible garden with slightly unusual aesthetics, opt for curly mint. As the name implies, its leaves are curly. They create a fun, frilly appearance in dense clumps of this perennial.

The leaves are curled or frilly around the edges, almost like curly kale or curly parsley. These unique leaves give way to small spikes of light pink flowers. Otherwise, the leaves are similar in flavor to spearmint, of which this curly plant is a variety: Mentha spicata var. crispa.

Plant curly mint in a big pot on your porch and watch it grow up to three feet each year. The plant will get bushier as you harvest it.

Water

Water mint is aptly named, because it grows in water. This plant is found growing happily along the edges of streams and canals. If you have a pond on your property, consider growing this species, but avoid growing in natural waterways as this could damage ecosystems.

This perennial matures to about three feet tall and wide with little to no maintenance. It only needs a little bit of light, and it’s not picky about soil. This plant can be grown in poorly drained soils, preferably those that stay wet.

When this semi-aquatic species blooms, you’ll find small, allium-like purple flowers. Fortunately, this plant doesn’t taste oniony. Though it grows in water, it still has a refreshing taste and fragrance.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal, also known as churchwort, pudding grass, or mosquito plant, is in the genus Mentha, which is probably why it also makes such a refreshing tea. 

It’s usually grown as a short, creeping perennial, barely reaching about a foot tall. It grows in most soils, including those that don’t drain well, spreading quickly and preventing weed growth. This plant is also known for its ability to repel mosquitos, hence its nickname “mosquito plant.”

Pennyroyal has purple flowers that attract pollinators, while its fragrance repels a lot of unwanted pests. It’s a smaller, multifunctional mint that can be a true asset in the garden, as long as you keep it contained.

Corsican

Corsican mint doesn’t look much like the kind you use in the kitchen, but it’s a Mentha species nonetheless. Its creeping growth creates dense, low-to-the-ground mats. In fact, this perennial rarely gets above three inches tall.

It’s often used as a filler around stepping stones in gardens, preventing weeds from popping up and emitting a light fragrance any time someone steps on the plant. Because it grows in most soils, you can pop it any place you need a little greenery. Just make sure its soil doesn’t dry out.

This perennial also makes a lovely addition to the arrangements, cascading over the edge. Try planting some Corsican mint in a hanging basket.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is another plant that isn’t actually in the Mentha genus but is in the Lamiaceae family. If you just take a look at lemon balm, you’ll see that it looks similar. The leaves and the growth structure appear identical to new gardeners.