Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 45 - 60cm
Position: Sun / part shade
Soil preference: Moist / well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Japanese Menthol Mint Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Mentha arvensis var piperascens)

Japanese Mint is a perennial growing up to 60cm tall and from 60cm up to 1 meter wide. The long, thin and downy grey-green leaves are elliptical to lanceolate or broadly ovate in shape, with a sharply toothed margin. When the leaves are crushed they release a strong menthol fragrance which can be confused with the Peppermint plant aroma. The summer flowers are purple and held in loose pseudo whorls or 8-10 flowers on small bracts. Seeds ripen from mid-summer to mid spring.

The natural habitat of Mentha arvensis var piperascens is wet grasslands, found near rivers and lakes. It grows at high elevations from 200-1500m in China and is also found in East Asia, Japan, Korea and some areas of Europe. Japanese Mint is also naturalised in many areas of Central and North America, particularly in wet or damp areas like streams. This mint is also known as Corn Mint, Field Mint and Canadian Mint. In Japan this mint is known as English Mint.

Mint General

There are many Mint varieties known to herb gardeners and lovers of good cuisine, all varying slightly in flavour, aroma and appearance. They are categorized in the genus ‘Mentha’, which has up to 18 species, within the Lamiaceae family of plants. The Lamiaceae family is known as the mint family. However, the largest group of plants in the mint family is actually the delightful Salvias with their brilliantly coloured blooms. Many other commonly known herbs are also found in this family, including basil, sage, thyme and even lavender. One characteristic of this plant family is that they all yield essential oils, giving each plant its unique characteristics and even potential for medicinal use. Even the Scutellaria genus, with the unusually named Baikal Skullcap is found within this family.

The mints consist of mostly spreading and low growing perennial plants. The height range is from 10 cm to 1 meter, so not all are at ground level. Mint plants send out runners, or stolons, to help them spread by developing roots and shoots at the nodes. This allows plants to cover up to 1 meter in stem growth, in good conditions. They are all fast growing plants and due to the spreading nature, one plant is often sufficient for most gardeners. Some mints can be invasive and it is recommended that containers or in ground barriers be used. Mints can suffer from some pests like snails and aphids and may be affected by mint rust. Rust Free Mint may also be a useful addition to the garden in addition to the many other varieties.

Most mint plants have square stems, with leaves held in opposite pairs. They are often downy with a serrated margin, with a variable leaf shape and colours ranging from green to purple. The flowers are usually white to purple and present in false whorls or verticillaster or false whorl. The corolla is usually two lipped and has 4 lobes, with the upper lobe usually the largest.

Mint plants come from across the globe and will grow in most climates, including a wide range of regions across Australia. Some are annual varieties, but in cool climate zones perennial mints may best be treated as annuals and replaced each year. Generally they have high water requirements and prefer rich soils. Mint is grown commercially in Tasmania due to the ideal conditions of long summer days in high altitudes, where temperatures average 25C during the day to 15C at night. Ideal conditions usually require full sun, but part shade may be necessary as temperatures increase in warm summer regions.

Most mints have a history of traditional medicinal or herbal use for fevers, headaches and minor ailments. These plants are often used as a digestive aid in the form or herbal tea. The essential oil is also antiseptic and may be toxic in very high doses. They should be avoided by pregnant women and must not be given, or placed next to the face of babies and young children, due to the potential for breathing difficulties associated with menthol.

Mint hybridizes very easily, so there are many varieties available to suit any garden. In fact, if you have mixed plants some may hybridize in your own garden. The most popular choices are Spearmint, Peppermint and Applemint. However, many varieties in our collection, such as Ginger Mint, Eau de Cologne, Chocolate Mint and many others are also becoming well known.

Growing Conditions

Japanese Mint grows in full sun to part shade, preferring moist soils. All soil types are acceptable including heavy clay soils. This mint can take somewhat drier soils than others, although it does have a preference for wet conditions. It is not considered to be frost tender and will self sow, replenishing itself in areas where it may succumb to harsh winter conditions.

Medicinal Uses

Japanese Mint has a history of traditional and herbal medicine use, similar to most other mints. It is antiseptic, used as a digestive aid, for treating fevers, headaches and minor ailments. The leaves can be crushed and inhaled or used in a steam inhalation to relieve congestion or clear the sinuses. The essential oil in Mentha arvensis is said to be approximately the equivalent of that produced from Peppermint, although many believe it to be inferior. The essential oil is produced commercially and sometimes substituted for the more expensive peppermint oil. The resulting oil is often called ‘Japanese Herbal Oil’.

Culinary Uses

Culinary uses for Japanese Mint include use of the essential oil in commercial manufacturing of sweets and beverages. It can be used in a similar manner to many other mints, in salads or cooked meals, as garnishes or in drinks. An herbal tea may be made or the leaves may be added to other teas.

Other Uses

Japanese Mint may be used as an insect repellent.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.