9/19/2023 0 Comments Mint leaves edible![]() Is that really mint? How can you tell it apart from other mints? What can you use it for? ![]() This plant has few pests and is not bothered by rabbits or deer.While you were out for a walk you saw some wild mint growing happily on the field and the idea to make a fresh tea from fresh herbs came to your mind. It is easy to propagate at any time during the growing season from rhizomes but can also be increased by rooting stem cuttings in water or moist rooting medium. ![]() Cut the foliage back to the ground at the end of the season. Removing old, woody plants to allow new stems to fill in will keep it looking its best. It needs consistent moisture to look its best but becomes floppy in rich soils or when fertilized much, so is good planted in lean soil. Pineapple mint does best in full sun in cool climates (but needs some shade in hotter climates or the leaves will burn in mild climates it will sprawl and flop over in too much shade), and tolerates all types of moist soil. It makes a good addition to mixed containers,įresh foliage of pineapple mint emerging in early spring. Although the shallow rhizomes are easy to pull, this plant can be fairly aggressive in spreading, so plant in containers to prevent it from becoming invasive if you can’t assure it will remain confined. Combine this plant of medium texture with fine or coarse textured plants with solid-colored leaves for maximum contrast. Of course it could be included in the herb garden as well. Pineapple mint makes a good groundcover and is useful as an accent plant at the front of a border or bed. Pineapple mint flowering (L), spike with buds (C) and flowers (R). Inconspicuous nutlets are produced after the flowers are pollinated. These are attractive to butterflies and beneficial insects. Tubular white, pink, or pale purple flowers are produced in dense columnar spikes of whorls (verticillasters) in summer. The all-green-leaved stems are more vigorous than the variegated ones, so they should be cut out to prevent them from taking over, leaving you with apple mint instead. All white stems do not have any chlorophyll to produce energy, and are susceptible to sunburn, so these stems tend to die out. The cream and green variegation is quite variable, however, ranging from all-white to solid green and everything in between. Pineapple mint typically has pale green leaves margined with cream. The foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not dropping its lower leaves like many other mints, so positioning to hide bare stems with other plants is not a concern.Īll white stems are more susceptible to sunburn than variegated ones. Supposedly the leaves have a pineapple fragrance, although is not particularly strong and is more just somewhat sweet and fruity. The soft, furry leaves are crinkled and have hairs on both upper and lower surfaces, with downy undersides. Pineapple mint has hairy, crinkly leaves. The aromatic, opposite leaves are oval to oblong, 1-2 inches long and ¾ – 1.5 inches wide with toothed or serrated margins. Clumps grow 2 to 3 feet tall, and unlimited in width. Like most mints, pineapple mint is a creeping plant that spreads from shallow underground rhizomes. Pineapple mint spreads from shallow, underground rhizomes. It is hardy in zones 5-9, and zone 4 with protection. Although it can be used as a culinary herb, this variety is frequently grown just as an ornamental. The leaves are also added to light, fruity potpourri and is has been used for medicinal purposes. Pineapple mint is edible, so can be used to flavor tea, jelly or fruit salads, or as a colorful garnish. The variety ‘Variagata’ looks quite different from the species and goes by a different common name of pineapple mint.Īs the name ‘Variagata” suggests, the leaves of this cultivar are variegated with creamy white instead of the solid green of the species. insularis), apple or wooly mint, is an herbaceous perennial native to southern and western Europe and the western Mediterranean that is commonly grown as a culinary herb. The genus Mentha is a large group of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae).
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