Mint types: the most important types & their characteristics

Mint is an absolute classic in the herb bed. We present the best and most aromatic types of mint and show what makes them different.

Everyone knows the peppermint. But have you ever heard of pineapple mint or chocolate mint? The genus of mints (mentha) includes about 30 species and is therefore extremely diverse. So why not try a new type of mint in your own garden or on the windowsill? We give you an overview of the most exciting types.

The best types and varieties of mint

Mints belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and are popular in herb beds or in pots on balconies, windowsills and patios. No wonder, because mints not only smell wonderful, they can also be used creatively in the kitchen. The healing effect of mint has been known for a long time and is said to help with gastrointestinal complaints, colds, headaches or muscle pain, for example.
In a 9th century verse by Walahfrid Strabo For centuries it has been said that if you wanted to name the many species and names of mint, you would have to list as many as there are fish in the sea. There are not that many, but the mint genus is extensive and new varieties are constantly being bred.
Below you will find an overview of mint classics: mints, which are very suitable for tea, mints, which are mainly found in the wild, and more exotic types of mint with special aromas.

Classic mints

You have probably heard of the following five types of mint. You really can't go wrong with them - but it's still worth learning more about these tried and tested species. For example, did you know that pennyroyal is poisonous?

peppermint (mentha x piperita)

the peppermint is the classic among the mint species and is often found in gardens and on balconies. However, it is unclear where this type of mint originally came from. What is certain is that it is a hybrid of brookmint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) acts. It is valued above all for its high menthol content and its peppery, hot aroma. It is undemanding in cultivation, perennial and hardy.

An own Variety overview for peppermint can be found here in our special article.

Green mint (Mentha spicata Syn. Mentha viridis)

Although the name is not so common, spearmint is probably the most commonly used of the mint species. It is also called spearmint or spearmint. It is this type of mint that gives toothpaste, chewing gum or sweets the minty taste, for example. It originally comes from Europe, but is now also widespread in large parts of Asia and Africa. The spearmint is very vigorous and runner-forming. It can grow up to 130 cm high. Spearmint flowers white and violet from July to September.

Watermint or Brookmint (Mentha aquatica)

Both the names water mint and water mint refer to the same type of mint: Mentha aquatica. It originated in Europe and can now be found in large parts of Africa and Europe. As the name suggests, this mint feels at home in damp conditions. That is why they are mainly found in the wild on banks, ditches, moors or wet meadows. The seeds of this mint species even have the particularity that they only spread through water. Water mint grows to a height of around 50 to 60 cm, forms spherical, light violet inflorescences between July and August and is ideal for planting around pond edges in the garden.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)

This species of mint can grow 10 to 50 cm tall and produces delicate lilac flowers from May to September. Pennyroyal looks very similar to peppermint. However, caution is advised as pennyroyal is poisonous. While the stamens of peppermint are as long as the petals, the stamens of pennyroyal protrude well beyond the tubular petals. Pennyroyal used to be used as a remedy, but today it is not used because of its toxicity. Pennyroyal should generally not be picked, as it is a nature reserve and classified as endangered on the Red List. In the garden it is well suited for the scent bed.

mojito mint (menthanemorosa)

Mojito mint is also called Hemingway mint or cocktail mint. The reason is obvious: the aromatic herb is often used as a cocktail herb used for mixing refreshing cocktails and drinks such as Mojito or Hugo. She is probably from a cross between Mentha spicata and Mentha suaveolens emerged. The mojito mint grows between 40 and 80 cm high and is very vigorous. In summer, from the beginning of July to the end of August, it also blooms light purple and attracts numerous insects.

Tea mints

The next four types of mint have a long tradition in countries where tea drinking plays an important role. No wonder, then, that these mints are all very suitable for preparing tea.

Moroccan Mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa Morocco)

Moroccan mint comes from North Africa. As the name suggests, it is very popular in Morocco and drunk as a tea with a lot of sugar. But not only the cooling, refreshing taste makes this mint so popular, but also its compact growth and easy care. The Moroccan mint grows between 30 and 60 cm high, the leaves are lanceolate and serrated at the edges. The flowers of the Moroccan mint are soft purple.

nana mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa 'Nane')

The name Nanaminze can actually mean three types of mint: The types Mentha spicata var. crispa 'Na' or mentha x piperita var. piperita ‘Nana’ – and also the Moroccan mint described above is sometimes called nana mint. The real nana mint is however Mentha spicata var. crispa 'Nane'.
Nanamint is also often known as Turkish mint. Because there and in North Africa it is often drunk in combination with black tea and sugar. In these regions it is also often used to flavor oriental dishes. It can grow 30 to 60 cm high, is perennial and hardy. The flowers of the Turkish mint are white-pink and appear from July.

English mint (mentha × piperita 'Mitcham')

The English mint is an old cultivated form from England from the Mitcham area. It is probably an accidental cross between a garden mint and wild water mint (Mentha aquatica). This type of mint is characterized by its intense taste with a lot of spiciness. It is therefore used for tea, soups and desserts. English mint leaves are green fading to red. The plants grow up to 80 cm high, are persistent and vigorous. The flower appears between July and August.

Applemint or Spearmint (Mentha suaveolens)

Apple mint is also called round-leaved mint. This is due to their specially shaped leaves: they are oval. It's called applemint because its leaves actually smell and taste like apple. Because of its mild aroma, apple mint is well suited for teas. Nowadays, apple mint is widespread in large parts of China, Turkey, North Africa and Central Europe. The apple mint can grow up to 100 cm high and is extremely vigorous. It blooms lilac in summer. It also likes it damp and is therefore often found on wet meadows, wet roadsides or on ditches, but also tolerates drought better than many other mint species.

Wild mint varieties

The following mints can all still be discovered wild in the field or along the way. Nevertheless, they can of course also be planted and cultivated in the garden or in pots.

field mint (Mentha arvensis)

Field mint is also called corn mint and is a wild mint species. It is distributed in all temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. The plant usually grows 5 to 30 cm high and has pink to purple flowers. It prefers moist and nutrient-rich locations and is less vigorous than its cultivated siblings.

Horsemint (Mentha longifolia)

The native horse mint is also called wood mint and occurs from the temperate zones of Eurasia to southern Africa. In Central Europe they are often found in low mountain ranges and in the lower parts of the Alps. It needs wet, nitrogen-rich soil to grow well. That is why they are often found near rivers or next to agricultural land. The long-leaved, fluffy hairy horse mint grows up to 130 cm high and bears pink to violet flowers between July and September.

Corsican mint (Mentha requienii)

Corsican mint is also called tender mint and can only be found on three islands in the Mediterranean: Corsica, of course, but also Sardinia and Montecristo. What is special about this mint species is that it does not grow upright, but like a carpet. It forms turf and exudes an intense, pungent smell. Incidentally, the liqueur Crème de Menthe is made from this mint. Due to its Mediterranean origin, the Corsican mint is not hardy and therefore needs protection in the cold season.

Types of mint with a special aroma

The following seven types of mint all have one thing in common: they not only smell and taste like mint, but also have a completely different aroma.

lemon mint (menthagentilis var. citrate)

Another mint that gets its name from its aroma is lemon mint. Its leaves give off an intense citrus scent. It is therefore ideal for teas, lemonades, desserts or cocktails. The lemon mint can grow up to 40 cm high, is perennial and hardy.

pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens variegata)

The leaves of pineapple mint actually give off a slight pineapple aroma. It is therefore well suited for desserts, punch bowls or cocktails. The leaves are also striking on this mint species: They are variegated green and cream-colored. Thus, the pineapple mint is a real eye-catcher in the bed or pot. However, it is not completely hardy in all areas and should therefore be overwintered indoors. With a height of around 25 to 60 cm, the pineapple mint is not as vigorous as other types of mint.

orange mint (Mentha piperita var. citrate ‘orange’)

The orange mint also exudes an intense, fruity aroma reminiscent of bergamot or Earl Gray. It is therefore well suited for cooking, for example for sauces or vegetables. Orange mints grow 50 to 80 cm high and almost as wide. They form purple flowers on dark red stems from July to September. Orange mints are very vigorous and spread quickly in the garden. The aroma of orange mint develops best in the sun, which is why it is also suitable as a container plant for sunny balconies.

chocolate mint (mentha x piperita var. piperita ‘chocolate’)

If you like mint chocolate or After Eight, you will love this type of mint. It combines mint and chocolate aroma in one plant. However, the aroma is very fine, not as intense and is perceived differently by all people. For some, the chocolate mint may smell and taste intensely like chocolate, for others the smell is not even noticeable. Chocolate mint plants grow to between 40 and 60 cm tall and have bright purple flowers from July to September.

basil mint (mentha × piperita var. citrate ‘basil’)

Another mint with a special aroma is basil mint. The taste is very reminiscent of basil, the smell of Italian dishes. The name Bastardo is also Italian, as basil mint is also called. The scent and taste of the leaves are still strongly minty and also slightly peppery. The red-stemmed mint is wonderful for salads, sauces and pestos. The basil mint grows 40 to 70 cm high and can be up to 1 m wide.

strawberry mint (Mentha species 'Strawberry')

Another rarity among the mints: strawberry mint. It actually doesn't taste like mint at all, but - you guessed it - like strawberries. It can be used well in the kitchen for teas, lemonades or cocktails. Strawberry mint plants only grow to 30 to 50 cm tall and have pink flowers, but often propagate profusely via stolons.

banana mint (Mentha arvensis ‘banana’)

A variation of field mint (Mentha arvensis) is the banana mint. This was bred in France and the leaves actually give off an intense smell of bananas. In the kitchen you can experiment with the herb and use it for desserts or drinks. Banana mint plants are small, reaching 30 to 50 cm in height, and do not spread excessively.

Similarities between the different types of mint

Even if there are over 30 types of mint with different properties and aromas, the different types have a lot in common: First of all, the appearance. Of course, the individual species and varieties differ in their appearance, but many mints look very similar. So you don't have to be an expert to spot a member of the mint genus. Determining which species is a bit more difficult. Almost all types of mint are also very vigorous and spread - mostly unintentionally - very quickly. Another similarity is that mints are perennial plants. In addition, most (with exceptions) are hardy. Also, all types of mint are easy to care for and easy to grow, so that actually anyone can cultivate mint. The plants are also very similar in terms of location requirements: Almost all of them appreciate a partially shaded place with fresh, moist soil. Finally, all mints contain essential oils that give them their aroma.

What do the different types of mint have in common?

• Similar appearance
• Vigorous and runner-forming
• Perennial and hardy
• Easy-care
• Location requirements: Partial shade; fresh, moist soil
• Essential oils, especially menthol

If you have now decided on one or more mint species to grow yourself, here are 10 helpful ones Tips for growing mint.