Mint Herb Varieties

As a culinary herb, mint is a versatile addition to any kitchen. However, every gardener dreads finding mint in their garden. Mint grows like a weed, and once it crops up in an area, it can be invasive, choking out other plants.

The advantage of the invasive quality of mint is that it is easy for beginners to grow. Mint is virtually impossible to kill. It is not frost-hardy, and it will appear to die off with the first hard frost of fall. However, the underground root system is extensive and extremely hard to kill, so tender shoots of mint will pop up again next spring, seemingly out of nowhere. Mint will grow in full sun or partial shade.

Grow Mint Herb in Pots

Because of the invasive nature of the root system of mint plants, many gardeners prefer to grow mint herbs in containers or in a small planting bed that is surrounded by paving or concrete. However, if you have a natural area in your garden where you don't mind letting mint herbs run rampant, you may wish to grow mint in that area where you will not mind if it grows wild and takes over the entire area.

Harvesting Mint

The advantage of growing a great deal of mint herbs in your garden is that, when harvest time comes, you will have abundant amounts of mint herbs available at your fingertips. Besides, every herb gardener knows that harvesting mint is one of the most pleasant gardening chores you will ever have to do, because of the fragrant aroma that emanates from these plants as you work among them.

Growing Catnip

The herb mint commonly known as catnip is actually cat mint, or nepeta. Scientists believe that a cat's susceptibility to catnip is an inherited trait; thus, cats that love catnip will love it for their entire lives, while other cats will pass a catnip plant by without even noticing it. With catnip, it's all or nothing. If you cat enjoys catnip, you should plant it in the ground, not in a pot.

Cats love to roll in catnip and strip the leaves from the stems with their teeth. A potted plant is likely to topple over under this attention, but putting a plant in the ground will give cats the leverage they need to enjoy the herb mint known as catnip. Whether you plant spearmint, peppermint, or catnip, growing mint is fun and gives a beginning gardener a lot of confidence. Why not plant some mint herbs today?