Fact Sheet Mint Plant
Mint Plant | Mentha requienii
Overview of the Mint Plant
The Mint plant (Mentha requienii) is an aromatic evergreen herb that belongs to the mint family.
It is native to the Mediterranean and is a perennial plant that can grow approximately 1.5 meters tall. The Rosemary plant has distinctive needle- like leaves that are green on top and lighter underneath. Rosemary has a long history of use in cooking, medical and religious contexts. The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed Rosemary could improve memory and in the Middle Ages it was used to ward off evil spirits. Rosemary is a very popular herb for both cooking and for its health benefits when extracted as an essential oil. The Rosemary plant is easy to care for and a hardy plant. Easy to grow in pots or outdoors as a larger shrub or low hedge in the garden, Rosemary is a popular plant choice.
Growing Mint
Mint Plant overview
- Rosemary is a great indoor or outdoor plant choice that provides many health benefits, requires little maintenance and has an interesting history. It is hardy and drought tolerant.
Planting, cultivating or seeding
- To plant Rosemary, use a propagating soil mix or leave a cutting in a glass of water on a sunny sill. Once small roots appear, transfer the cutting to a small pot. When planting seeds, use a sandy propagating mix and keep soil moist and warm.
Position
- Rosemary prefers a warm, light position. For indoors, choose a position that is warm in summer and well lit with natural light during winter. If this is not possible, consider placing your Rosemary under grow lights in winter as it does not thrive in extremely cold conditions.
.Soil and fertilising
- Ensure your soil is well drained and slightly dry. If your soil is acidic, consider growing Rosemary in a pot and give it a monthly dose of an all-purpose plant food. Fertilise annually in Spring.
Watering and pruning
- Rosemary requires regular watering only in very dry conditions and should be tip-pruned if you are regularly harvesting from the plant. Avoid cutting into the bare woody branches as they may not reshoot. It responds well to pruning and shaping and can be used as a hedge or edging plant.
Rosemary Flowers
- Rosemary flowers usually appear in a shade of blue, but can also come in white and pink varieties. It generally blooms abundantly from late winter through to summer.
Health Benefits of the Mint Plant
Healthy Hair
Rosemary oil is known to support hair growth and lesson dandruff when used regularly on the scalp.
Anti- Ageing for Skin
As it contains antioxidant properties, Rosemary is a key ingredient in many skin care products to help lesson premature signs of ageing.
Mint essential oil
Diffused as an essential oil, Peppermint oil is known soothe indigestion and motion (travel) sickness and general nausea. Peppermint oil is also known to reduce congestion and aid in the treatment of sinus and chest infections.
Our Favourite Mint Recipe
Interesting Facts
- Mint comes in over 30 different varieties
- Essential oils and menthol are extracted as essential oil from Mint plants and used in toothpaste.
- In ancient times Mint was used as a symbol for hospitality
- Mint takes its name from the Greek mythological figure ‘Minthe’, a nymph who greek legends tells us was transformed into the fragrant mint plant!
- See Edible Gardens and Plant & Gardening Fact Sheets for more information about growing your own foods