Mentha suaveolens | Apple Mint

Also known as "fuzzy mint" or "woolly mint", apple mint plants have woolly stems, fragrant serrated leaves and terminal spikes that bear white or light pink flowers beginning in late summer or early autumn.  When in flower the bees love this plant.

Since apple mint can be invasive, it is wise to consider its placement, and we confine our plant to a large container which we then bury in the garden. The plants appreciate rich soil that drains well. If spreading is not an issue, you can plant directly into the ground. Florists such as Erin Benzakein from Floret cite Apple Mint and our Variegated Pineapple Mint as fantastic foliage plants particularly when not much else is on offer in early spring and they add a wonderful scent to bouquets with their fruity fragrance and Apple Mint is such a beautiful mid green colour.  

In the autumn, simply cut back all apple mint to the ground and cover with a 5cm layer of mulch if you suffer from harsh winters.

Apple mint has a variety of uses. Bruised apple mint leaves added to a pitcher of ice water with lemon make the perfect “afternoon in the shade” summer treat. Dried apple mint leaves are a delicious warm tea that is perfect for cooler weather. For drying, harvest the leaves when they are fresh by cutting the stalks just before they bloom. Hang the stalks to dry and store them in airtight containers.

You can of course also use fresh apple mint leaves as a pretty and fragrant dessert topping, as salad additions or to make tasty apple mint dressings.

We have a wonderful cookbook on using botanical ingredients - Blooms & Baking by Amy Ho as well as making fabulous botanically inspired cocktails with this book Wild cocktails from the Midnight Apothecary - Recipes using home grown and foraged fruits, herbs and edible flowers by Lottie Muir

Height to 60cm - spreading enthusiastically if not contained!

Perennial | Hardy  

Plant size PB2 | Equivalent 1.2 litre