In contrast, variegated mints (leaves with different colours) like the Pineapple Mint are best grown in bright, filtered light because the leaves may revert to a solid green if exposed to the intense heat from the sun. If your garden receives afternoon sun, you may want to try growing these species. However, Spearmint and Wild Mint ( Mentha arvensis) are two mints that grow well in both full sun and bright, filtered light. Most mints will grow well when exposed to at least four to six hours of bright, filtered light (meaning, slightly shaded from the sun). Outdoor mints in well-drained soil may need to be watered at least once a day. Avoid planting your mint in pure compost because it tends to stay wet too long. If your potting soil does not allow water to drain freely, you can mix in materials like LECA (Light Expanded Clay Aggregate, 4 mm in diameter), perlite, vermiculite, pumice rock or charcoal chips to improve drainage. Here are five key tips for successfully caring for your mints: Once your mint plant is potted up, allow it to grow and establish. When the roots have developed sufficiently, transfer the stem and pot it in well-drained soil. Change the water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding. You should see roots emerge within a week. Remove the lower leaves of a freshly cut stem and place it in freshwater until new roots form. They are easy to propagate via stem cutting, basically meaning you can ‘clone’ a new plant from the existing plant by using its stem. Mints are adaptable plants which can grow both outdoors and indoors. Curly Mint is a variety of Spearmint that has undulating surfaces and ruffled edges. crispa) is a good choice to add texture to your herb garden. Both Pineapple and Apple Mint have a faint, fruity fragrance.Ĭurly Mint ( Mentha spicata var. If Pineapple Mint gets too hot, it reverts to solid green and you end up with another type of mint-Apple Mint! This mint ( Mentha suaveolens) has light green, softly hairy leaves. Our climate can be too hot to grow the Pineapple Mint, so if you intend to do so, it is best to grow it in bright, filtered light under cooler temperatures. The petite, light green leaves are beautifully edged in cream. While we usually think of mints as plants to grow for their edible leaves rather than their looks, Pineapple Mint ( Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’) is both tasty and pretty! They can be dried and added to potpourri for a flowery and minty scent. The crushed leaves of this mint give off a light, perfume-like fragrance. It is unusual in that it is grown for its fragrance rather than its flavour. Its fragrance has been compared to a chocolate mint candy.Īnother interesting mint is the Eau de Cologne Mint ( Mentha × piperita f. citrata ‘Chocolate’).Īs its name suggests, crushed leaves release a chocolate-like aroma that can enhance the flavour of your favourite desserts and hot drinks. These mints are vigorous growers which can flourish easily even for novice gardeners.Ī close relative of Peppermint is a cultivar called Chocolate Mint ( Mentha × piperita f. Peppermint has an icy cool taste which is good for herbal teas. Peppermint has darker green leaves that contain much more menthol than Spearmint. The sweet minty flavour is ideal for cooking. Spearmint has light green leaves and contains very little menthol. What kind of mints can you grow in Singapore? The most commonly available mints locally are the Spearmint ( Mentha spicata) and Peppermint ( Mentha × piperita). So while the passionate gardener seeks out alternatives like community and allotment gardening or set up grow lights to improve light conditions, these may be a little daunting for the new and casual gardener.īut here’s a ‘cool' idea even novice gardeners can try: how about growing mints? However, some corridors or windowsills may not provide enough sunlight to grow these greens optimally. With the launch of the Gardening with Edibles campaign in June 2020, the interest to grow edibles has risen among Singaporeans.
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