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 Rust Free 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 rubra raripila

Rust Free Mint is an evergreen perennial that may grow from 45 - 60cm high by 1.5 meters wide, in ideal conditions. This mint is characterized by oval shaped, dark green leaves, with sharply toothed margins. The stems, veins and leaves are touched with red, providing an extra dimension to the foliage. A sweet aroma, similar to Spearmint, is released by the leaves. The lilac flowers are held in dense whorls appearing during summer. This is a sterile hybrid mint, so seeds are not produced.

Rust Free Mint also goes by the botanical synonym Mentha rubra raripila and the common names Raripila Mint, Red Mint, Pea Mint and Red Raripila. It is a hybrid derived from three other mints: Mentha aquatica X Mentha arvensis X Mentha spicata, with the scent coming from M. spicata (Spearmint). This mint is native to Northern and Central Europe. An essential oil is made from this mint and used for desserts, ice cream and drinks.

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

Rust Free Mint is a hardy mint which will tolerate a range of soil conditions, including heavy clay soil. Moist, slightly acidic soil with a full sun to part shade position is preferred. Mints do not like to dry out so regular water should be provided, especially in warm seasons. Light frost is tolerated. Like most mints, this hybrid will do well planted in a container and this will also help to keep it from spreading. Propagation may be carried out by dividing the existing clump. This variety of mint is less likely to be affected by mint rust.

Culinary Uses

Rust Free Mint is a good culinary mint, with a fruity Spearmint flavour and aroma. It is good served with meat dishes, peas, potato salads, raw salads, fruit salads, desserts, ice creams and cold drinks. Refreshing herbal tea may be made and used as a digestive aid. Rust Free Mint may be harvested just before flowering begins, when the essential oil content is highest, and used fresh or dried for later use.

Medicinal Uses

Mint has a strong history of traditional medicinal use and this mint will have similar characteristics to its parents. Rust Free Mint may be made into an herbal tea and used to aid digestion, as an antiseptic, to assist with headache relief, fevers and general ailments. Medicinal use should be avoided by pregnant women due to the potential for spasms leading to miscarriage.

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