Mints

The mint family (Mentha) includes dozens of vigorous, fast-spreading perennials, each carrying a variation on mint's cool, refreshing flavor. Spearmint and peppermint are the two workhorses of the kitchen, while apple, orange/lemon, Corsican, and pineapple mint offer subtler, fruitier twists on the same basic theme.

Growing Mint — Contain It

Every mint spreads aggressively by underground runners, and left unchecked in open ground it will happily take over an entire bed within a season or two. Nearly all experienced gardeners grow mint in a container — either a literal pot, or a bottomless pot sunk into the ground to block the runners — rather than planting it directly into a shared bed.

The Varieties

Spearmint is the classic all-purpose culinary mint, milder and sweeter than peppermint, which carries a sharper, more menthol-forward bite better suited to teas and desserts than savory cooking. Apple mint and pineapple mint layer fruity notes over a milder mint base, Corsican mint stays tiny and moss-like, ideal between pavers, and orange or lemon mint brings a citrusy twist good for infused drinks.