🌿 Mint (General)

Mentha spp.
herbs Perennial herb (vigorous spreader)
Illustration of Mint (General)
☀️ Sun
Full sun to partial shade; 4-6 hours minimum.
💧 Water
Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged. More water-tolerant than most herbs.
🗺️ Zones
USDA zones 3-11 depending on variety; most are very hardy
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, moist, well-draining; pH 6.0-7.0. Tolerates most soils.
🧪 Soil pH
6.0-7.0 (prefers moist, well-drained, rich soil; tolerates wide range)
📏 Spacing
18-24 inches apart (in containers or with barriers)
📐 Height
12-36 inches depending on variety
📅 Days to Maturity
Can harvest within 60 days from transplant

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["Leaves"🍽️ "Flowers"]

🤝 Companions (5)

🤝 Cabbage/Brassicas
Repels cabbage moths and flea beetles; strong scent masks brassicas from pests.
🤝 Tomatoes
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and some beetles; improves tomato health.
🤝 Peas
Deters pea pests; mint's strong scent provides camouflage.
🤝 Roses
Deters aphids from roses.
🤝 Nettle
Nettle increases mint's essential oil content; traditional companion.

⚠️ Keep Apart (3)

Mint can overwhelm and choke out parsley.
⚠️ Chamomile
Mint may suppress chamomile growth.
⚠️ Most herbs in-ground
Mint's aggressive spreading habit overwhelms neighboring plants. Always use containers.

💊 Medicinal Uses

{"conditions_treated": ["Digestive issues (indigestion, gas, bloating, IBS, nausea)", "Headaches and migraines (topical application on temples)", "Respiratory congestion (menthol is a decongestant)", "Muscle pain and soreness (topical analgesic)", "Skin irritation and itching (cooling effect)", "Bad breath and oral health", "Stress and mild anxiety"], "preparation_methods": ["Peppermint tea: 1-2 tsp dried leaves steeped 10 minutes for digestive relief", "Spearmint tea: Milder, suitable for children and for gentle digestive soothing", "Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol; 1-2ml as needed for digestive complaints", "Inhalation: Fresh leaves or essential oil in steam for congestion", "Topical oil: Diluted peppermint oil (2-3% in carrier) applied to temples for headache", "Mouth rinse: Strong infusion as antibacterial mouthwash"], "active_compounds": ["Menthol", "Menthone", "Rosmarinic acid", "Flavonoids", "Limonene"], "toxicity_warnings": "Peppermint oil can cause respiratory distress in infants and young children \u2014 NEVER apply near face of children under 5. Avoid peppermint with GERD/acid reflux (relaxes esophageal sphincter). Essential oil must be diluted for topical use. Avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy. Do not apply pure essential oil to mucous membranes."}

📜 History & Traditional Uses

{"medieval": "Used to 'comfort and strengthen the stomach.' Strewn on floors for fragrance and pest control. Monastery gardens always included mint for digestive complaints.", "ancient": "Greek myth: Minthe was a nymph transformed into the plant. Romans introduced mint to Britain. Used in ancient feasts as a digestive aid. Pliny recommended mint wreaths for students to 'exhilarate the mind.'", "folk_medicine": "Universal digestive remedy across cultures. Mint tea after meals in Middle Eastern tradition. Used for 'sick headaches' and 'hysteric complaints' in European folk medicine."}