Also known as Mint · 137 gardener saves
Mentha: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Mentha, the genus most gardeners know as mint. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Mentha varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSpearmint
Mentha spicata 'Spearmint'
#2 most savedApple Mint
Mentha suaveolens 'Apple Mint'
#3 most savedFuhgeddaboudit Peppermint
Mentha x piperita 'Fuhgeddaboudit'
Corsican Mint
Mentha requienii
Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium 'Nana'
How to grow Mentha
What the Mentha varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Mentha year
- PruneMay and July80% of varieties
Cut back hard after flowering to prevent self-seeding and rejuvenate foliage
- PlantMarch–May80% of varieties
Plant in containers or use root barriers to prevent aggressive spread
- DivideMarch, April and September80% of varieties
Divide every 2-3 years to control spread and rejuvenate the patch
- HarvestApril–September60% of varieties
Harvest leaves frequently, cutting stems just above a leaf node
- Pinch TipsApril–June40% of varieties
Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth and higher leaf yield
- Spring CleanupFebruary40% of varieties
Cut back old, woody stems to the ground before new growth starts
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth
- Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
- Provide partial sun for healthy foliage growth 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Refrain from using chemical pesticides unnecessarily
- Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal issues ❌
- Don't let plants sit in stagnant water
What goes wrong with Mentha
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Spray with strong jet of water or use horticultural oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide or neem oil |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves with soft roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Mentha
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring.
- Separate into smaller sections with roots attached.
- Replant immediately into prepared soil.
Cuttings
- Select healthy stems and cut 4-6 inch sections.
- Remove lower leaves and dip cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist soil or water for 2-4 weeks until roots develop.
- Transplant to desired location after roots are established.
Mentha questions
How many types of Mentha are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Mentha varieties. The most popular — ranked by 137 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Mentha grow in?
Across its varieties, Mentha covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Mentha bloom?
Most Mentha varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Mentha should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Mentha shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Mentha in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
