8 Mint Family Plants You Need in Your Garden And How To Use Them

Let’s learn about the different mint plant types that belong to the mint family. They are also known as the Lamiaceae family and is a group of plants that consists of many different aromatic, culinary, and ornamental herbs.

With over 7,000 species and types of mint plants across the globe, this plant family includes many well-known favorites.

Whether you’re an herb lover, a passionate gardener, or simply curious about the botanical world, exploring the plants in the mint family can open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Exploring Plants in the Mint Family

The Mint herb family are known for their aroma, culinary versatility, and health benefits. Whether you choose to grow them in pots or dedicate a section of your garden to a mint patch (be careful they do spread like wildfire and will take over a whole garden in the blink of an eye), these plants bring an array of advantages.

From adding flavors to your favorite dishes to natural remedies and attracting beneficial insects, mint adds a touch of freshness and life to your garden and everyday life. Think about growing mint and the many ways it can add to your gardening and well-being.

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Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a popular herb in the mint family known for its aroma, cooling flavor, and many uses.

1. Aroma and Flavor: Peppermint leaves have a strong and distinct minty aroma. When crushed or bruised, they release a fragrance that can awaken the senses. Peppermint is known for its cool and minty flavor with a slightly sweet undertone.
2. Culinary Uses: Peppermint is a widely used herb in recipes. It’s commonly used to flavor beverages such as teas, iced drinks, and cocktails. Peppermint leaves can also be added into desserts, chocolates, ice creams, and baked goods, adding a refreshing and aromatic twist to the dishes.
3. Medicinal Benefits: Peppermint has a long history of medicinal use. It’s known for its soothing properties and can provide relief from digestive issues like bloating, indigestion, and stomach discomfort. Peppermint tea is often used to ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and promote overall digestive health.
4. Aromatic and Therapeutic Uses: Peppermint’s scent makes it a popular choice for aromatherapy. Peppermint essential oil is used in diffusers, massage oils, and personal care products for rejuvenation, and relaxation.
5. Garden Benefits: Peppermint is an excellent addition to herb gardens and containers. Its bright green foliage and attractive purple flowers add visual appeal to any garden. Again, keep in mind that peppermint is a vigorous grower (invasive) and can spread super-fast, so it’s best to contain it with borders or use containers.
6. Natural Pest Repellent: Peppermint’s strong scent is also great for repelling pests like ants, mosquitoes, and rodents. Planting peppermint around the garden or using peppermint-infused sprays can help deter these pests.
7. Growing Conditions: Peppermint thrives in moist soil and prefers partial shade to full sun. It’s a hardy herb that can adapt to many climates and soil conditions. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages new growth.

By growing Peppermint in your garden or keeping it in pots, you can enjoy its aroma, any culinary uses, and potential health benefits.

Whether used in the kitchen, for its therapeutic properties, or as a natural pest repellent, peppermint is a versatile herb that adds freshness and flavor.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a popular herb in the mint family known for its refreshing aroma, cool flavor, and many uses.

1. Aroma and Flavor: Spearmint leaves have a sweet, and refreshing aroma. When crushed or bruised, the leaves release a fragrance of minty freshness. The flavor of spearmint is milder and sweeter than peppermint, with hints of mint and a subtle hint of sweetness.
2. Culinary Uses: Spearmint is an herb used in many recipes. It’s a common ingredient in teas, both hot and cold. Spearmint is also used to enhance cocktails and mocktails, and is popularly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines to flavor dishes like salads, yogurt, and savory meats.
3. Medicinal Benefits: Spearmint has been historically used for its medicinal properties. It’s believed to aid digestion, alleviate symptoms of nausea, and provide relief from headaches. Spearmint tea is often a drink used for its calming and soothing effects.
4. Aromatic and Ornamental Plant: Spearmint is grown not only for its culinary and medicinal uses but also for its beauty. The plant has bright green, toothed leaves that add a touch of freshness to gardens and landscapes. The attractive foliage and delicate flowers make spearmint a visually appealing addition to herb gardens or containers.
5. Growing Conditions: Spearmint is a hardy herb that thrives in well-drained soil and can tolerate various light conditions, ranging from full sun to partial shade. However, it prefers partial shade in hot climates to prevent scorching. It’s known for its rapid spreading growth, so it’s recommended to grow spearmint in containers or use barriers to control it.
6. Herbal Infusions and Essential Oils: Spearmint leaves are often used to make herbal infusions and essential oils. Spearmint-infused oil can be used in aromatherapy, massage, or as a natural ingredient in homemade beauty products.

By growing spearmint in your garden or keeping it as a potted herb, you can enjoy its aroma, many recipes uses, and health benefits. It’s a versatile herb that adds a refreshing touch to a variety of dishes and beverages.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis):

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb known for its vibrant lemony fragrance and a variety of uses.

1. Aroma and Flavor: Lemon balm leaves have a refreshing lemon scent when gently crushed or rubbed. The scent is soothing, making it a popular choice for herbal teas, aromatherapy, and homemade beauty products. The leaves also have a mild lemon flavor, perfect for recipes.
2. Appearance: Lemon balm is a perennial herb that grows in clumps, reaching a height of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm). The leaves are heart-shaped, light green, and have a slightly wrinkled texture. In summer, the plant produces small clusters of white or pale yellow flowers.
3. Culinary Uses: Lemon balm leaves are widely used in cooking. They can be used fresh or dried to add a lemony flavor to salads, soups, sauces, fish dishes, and desserts. Lemon balm is also a popular ingredient in herbal teas and cocktails, providing a refreshing twist.
4. Medicinal Benefits: Lemon balm has a long history of medicinal use. It’s known for its calming and soothing properties, making it a popular herbal remedy for stress, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s also used to promote digestion and relieve digestive discomfort.
5. Garden Benefits: Lemon balm is an excellent addition to any garden. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to the health and biodiversity of your garden. Its bright green foliage adds beauty and texture to flower beds, herb gardens, or container plantings.
6. Growing Conditions: Lemon balm thrives in well-drained soil and prefers partial shade to full sun. It’s a hardy herb that can tolerate a range of soil conditions. Regular pruning helps to maintain its shape and encourages fresh growth.

By growing lemon balm in your garden, you can enjoy its fragrance, use it in cooking, and benefit from its therapeutic properties. It’s a versatile herb that adds a refreshing lemony touch to everything.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) is a beautiful flowering perennial plant known for its vibrant, tubular flowers and fragrance.

1. Appearance: Bee balm plants typically grow to a height of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) and have square stems. The flowers, which bloom in summer, come in shades of red, pink, and purple. The petals form tubular clusters, creating an eye-catching display in the garden.
2. Attracts Pollinators: As the name suggests, bee balm is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its nectar-rich flowers serve as a valuable food source for these important pollinators, making it a popular choice for pollinator gardens.
3. Aromatic Qualities: Bee balm leaves have a pleasant, citrusy fragrance, especially when crushed. The aromatic foliage adds to the overall sensory experience of the plant.
4. Culinary and Medicinal Uses: Bee balm leaves can be used to make a flavorful herbal tea. The tea is known for its soothing properties and is often enjoyed for its calming and digestive benefits. The leaves can also be used in recipes, adding a unique flavor to salads, sauces, and herbal infusions.
5. Garden Tips: Bee balm prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of growing conditions. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding (which can make it spread).
6. Varieties: There are several popular types of bee balm available, each with its unique flower colors and growth habits. Some popular ones include ‘Jacob Cline with bright red flowers, ‘Raspberry Wine’ with deep pink blooms, and ‘Panorama Mix’ with a variety of colors.

By planting bee balm in your garden, you not only add beauty and fragrance but also contribute to the helping pollinators.

Enjoy the sight of buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies as they visit your bee balm flowers, adding life and vitality to your outdoor space.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family that is well-known for its effect on cats.

1. Cat Attraction: Catnip contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone, which has a unique effect on many cats. When cats come into contact with catnip, whether by sniffing, rolling, or rubbing against it, they often exhibit behaviors like increased playfulness, rolling around, and rubbing against the plant. Not all cats are affected by catnip, as its reaction is genetic and may vary from cat to cat.
2. Plant Description: Catnip plants typically have heart-shaped, gray-green leaves and produce clusters of small white or lavender flowers. They can reach a height of about 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) when fully grown. Catnip is a hardy herb that can be easily grown in gardens or containers.
3. Medicinal Uses: Catnip has a history of medicinal use for humans. It can be brewed into an herbal tea and consumed for its calming and relaxing properties. Catnip tea is known to help sleep, relieve anxiety, and soothe digestive issues.
4. Garden Benefits: Apart from its effect on cats, catnip can attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to your garden. The plant’s fragrant flowers and foliage serve as a valuable food source for pollinators, contributing to the health and biodiversity of your garden.
5. Uses for Cats: You can offer dried catnip leaves in toys, sprinkle them on scratching posts, or place them in a catnip-filled pillow. It can be an excellent way to engage and entertain your feline companions.
6. Growing Conditions: Catnip is a hardy herb that thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate different soil conditions. Regular pruning and harvesting will help keep the plant stay in shape and encourage fresh growth.

Remember to use catnip in moderation and observe your cats’ behavior to be sure they enjoy it safely.

Chocolate Mint (Mentha × piperita ‘Chocolate’) is an herb in the mint family that offers a unique combination of refreshing minty notes with a hint of rich chocolate.

1. Aroma and Flavor: Chocolate mint leaves have an aroma that combines the classic minty scent with a subtle chocolate undertone. When crushed or rubbed, the leaves release a fragrance reminiscent of peppermint patties or chocolate-mint desserts. The flavor of chocolate mint is a blend of minty freshness with a mild chocolate essence, making it a favorite for dessert-inspired recipes.
2. Culinary Uses: The leaves can be used fresh or dried to infuse desserts, hot beverages, and baked goods with a delicious chocolate-mint flavor. It pairs exceptionally well with chocolate-based recipes, ice creams, smoothies, and hot cocoa, offering a refreshing twist to traditional chocolate treats.
3. Garden Benefits: Chocolate mint is not only a culinary delight but also an attractive addition to gardens and landscapes. The plant features vibrant green leaves with a hint of bronze or purple hues, adding visual interest to herb gardens or container plantings. Its small lavender or pink flowers attract pollinators, making it beneficial for the overall health of your garden.
4. Medicinal Uses: Like other mint varieties, chocolate mint has potential medicinal benefits. It’s often used to soothe indigestion, ease stomach discomfort, and provide a sense of relaxation. Drinking chocolate mint tea or incorporating it into herbal remedies can help harness its therapeutic properties.
5. Growing Conditions: Chocolate mint prefers well-drained soil and thrives in partial shade to full sun. It’s a hardy herb that can tolerate various soil types. However, it’s important to note that chocolate mint can be an aggressive grower, spreading rapidly in the garden. To control its growth, consider growing it in containers or using barriers.
6. Culinary Pairings: Chocolate mint can be used creatively in many recipes. It complements a wide range of desserts, including cakes, cookies, brownies, and truffles. It can also be added to beverages like iced teas, mojitos, and mint-infused cocktails.

By growing chocolate mint in your garden or keeping it in pots, you can enjoy its aroma, unique flavor, and the ability to add a touch of chocolate-mint goodness to your culinary adventures.

Whether used as a garnish, an ingredient, or brewed into tea, chocolate mint is a wonderful herb that brings a sweet and refreshing twist to your favorite treats.

Applemint (Mentha suaveolens var. suaveolens), also known as Woolly Mint, is an herb in the mint family that offers a refreshing aroma and unique flavor.

Here’s some information about Applemint:

1. Aroma and Flavor: Applemint leaves have a pleasant fragrance reminiscent of both apple and mint, hence the name. The aroma is fruity and sweet, making it a great addition to gardens and cooking creations. The flavor of applemint is a combination of mint with subtle hints of apple, giving a unique twist to dishes and beverages.
2. Culinary Uses: Applemint leaves can be used fresh or dried to add a refreshing flavor to salads, fruit salads, desserts, and beverages. Applemint is often used to infuse water, tea, or cocktails, providing a hint of fruity mintiness that enhances the overall taste.
3. Garden Benefits: Applemint’s woolly-textured leaves and clusters of small lavender or pink flowers make it an interesting addition to herb gardens or containers. It can also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
4. Medicinal and Aromatic Qualities: Like other mint varieties, applemint has medicinal benefits. It’s known for its soothing properties and is often used to ease digestive discomfort or relieve symptoms of indigestion. The aromatic qualities of applemint can also provide a sense of relaxation.
5. Growing Conditions: Applemint prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s a hardy herb that can tolerate a range of soil types. Regular watering and occasional pruning will help maintain its growth and shape.
6. Varieties: There are different varieties of applemint available, each with its own characteristics. Some popular ones include ‘Variegata,’ which has variegated leaves with creamy white edges, and ‘Strawberry Mint,’ which has a stronger strawberry-like aroma.

By growing applemint in your garden or keeping it in pots, you can enjoy its refreshing aroma, unique flavor, and potential health benefits.

Whether used in culinary creations, herbal infusions, or simply as an aromatic herb, applemint adds a delightful touch to your gardening and culinary experiences.

Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’), also known as Variegated Pineapple Mint, is an herb in the mint family that offers a unique combination of minty freshness with a hint of tropical pineapple.

More info on pineapple mint:

1. Aroma and Flavor: Pineapple mint leaves have a refreshing minty scent with just a hint of pineapple undertone. The fragrance reminds you of a tropical island, with its cooling essence of mint and the sweet tanginess of pineapple. The flavor of pineapple mint is a blend of minty coolness with a touch of fruity sweetness.
2. Culinary Uses: Pineapple mint is great for recipes. The leaves can be used fresh or dried to infuse dishes, beverages, and desserts with a minty pineapple flavor. It adds a unique twist to fruit salads, teas, iced drinks, cocktails, and even savory dishes like salads and marinades.
3. Garden Benefits: Pineapple mint is not only a cooking favorite but also a pretty addition to gardens and landscapes. The plant has variegated leaves with green and cream-colored markings, adding texture to herb gardens or container plantings. It can also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping the biodiversity of your garden.
4. Medicinal and Aromatic Qualities: Like other mint varieties, pineapple mint has potential medicinal benefits. It’s often used to aid digestion, soothe stomach discomfort, and provide a sense of calm and relaxation. The aromatic qualities of pineapple mint can lift your mood and add a tropical touch to your surroundings.
5. Growing Conditions: Pineapple mint thrives in well-drained soil and prefers partial shade to full sun. It’s a hardy herb that can be grown in various soil types. Regular watering and occasional pruning will help maintain its growth and shape.
6. Culinary Pairings: Pineapple mint can be used creatively in many different types of recipes. It pairs well with tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and coconut, enhancing their flavors with their minty freshness. It can be used in fruit salads, smoothies, sorbets, and tropical-themed cocktails, adding a refreshing and exotic twist.

By growing pineapple mint in your garden or keeping it in pots, you can enjoy it’s refreshing flavor, and the ability to add a touch of tropical paradise to your recipes.

Whether used as a garnish, an ingredient, or brewed into tea, pineapple mint is a wonderful herb that brings a delightful combination of mint and pineapple to your dishes.

Benefits and Versatility of Mint Plants

1. Soothe Digestive Issues:

Peppermint and spearmint have been used for centuries to calm an upset stomach, relieve bloating, and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Their natural properties help relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, promoting smoother digestion.

2. Boost Respiratory Health:

The aromatic compounds found in mints, such as menthol, are known to have a soothing effect on the respiratory system. Inhalation of steam infused with mint leaves can help relieve congestion, clear nasal passages, and ease symptoms of coughs and colds.

3. Enhance Mental Clarity:

The refreshing aroma of mint has been shown to improve focus, concentration, and memory. Whether you choose to diffuse mint essential oil or sip on a cup of peppermint tea, these plants can offer a natural mental boost.

4. Relieve Headaches:

Peppermint oil applied topically to the temples can provide relief from tension headaches and migraines. The cooling sensation and analgesic properties of mint help alleviate pain and promote relaxation.

5. Support Weight Loss:

Mint plants contain compounds that support healthy digestion and regulate appetite. Sipping on a cup of mint tea or incorporating fresh mint leaves into your meals can help curb cravings, boost metabolism, and aid in weight management.

6. Aid in Skin Care:

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of mint make it a valuable ingredient in skincare products. Applying mint-infused toners or creams can help soothe irritations, reduce acne breakouts, and promote a healthy complexion.

7. Reduce Stress and Anxiety:

The calming properties of mint can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Burning mint-scented candles, taking a relaxing bath with mint-infused products, or practicing aromatherapy with mint essential oil can all contribute to a more relaxed state of mind.

8. Improve Oral Health:

Many varieties of mint, such as peppermint and spearmint, are known for their potent antibacterial properties. Incorporating these herbs into your oral hygiene routine can help freshen breath, prevent gum disease, and reduce bacteria buildup.

9. Support Healthy Digestive Flora:

Certain mints, like lemon balm, have prebiotic properties that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Consuming infusions or supplements containing lemon balm can improve digestion, support gut health, and boost your overall well-being.

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The mint family includes a huge range of plants, each with its own characteristics and benefits. From the culinary uses of peppermint and spearmint to the ornamental beauty of bee balm and the calming properties of lemon balm.

These plants offer both practical and aesthetic purposes in your garden.