Fruity Mint
Apple mint is a sprawling perennial herb that earns its name from the distinctly fruity character of its foliage, a delightful departure from the sharp menthol punch of common spearmint. Hardy from zones 5 through 9, this rhizomatous spreader grows 12 to 24 inches tall and wide, producing soft pink to white flower spikes throughout July and August. It thrives in rich, moist soil under full sun to partial shade and serves equally well as a culinary herb, ground cover, or naturalized planting in rain gardens. The oblong light green leaves, which can reach 2 inches long, release their fruity fragrance when brushed or crushed, making it a rewarding plant to brush past.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
24in H x 24in W
Perennial
Moderate
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The fruity, apple-like fragrance and flavor of the foliage sets apple mint apart from other mints and opens up unexpected uses in teas, salads, and cocktails. It spreads vigorously by rhizomes to form a dense, attractive ground cover that flowers reliably in mid to late summer with showy pink and white spikes. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, pollinators adore it, and it adapts to wet soils and variable light conditions that would challenge other herbs, making it nearly foolproof in gardens where moisture lingers.
Apple mint leaves make an exceptional addition to fruit teas and infusions, where their fruity character complements rather than overwhelms. They brighten salads, especially those with stone fruits or citrus, and work beautifully as a garnish for beverages, desserts, or savory plates. The aromatic foliage also makes it useful as a ground cover between stepping stones or in borders where the fragrance gets released underfoot.
Pinch or snip leaves as needed throughout the growing season for fresh use in teas and culinary applications. Harvest in the morning after dew dries but before the sun's heat intensifies the oils, when the fruity flavor is most pronounced. You can harvest up to one-third of the foliage at a time without harming the plant.
Shear back after the flowers fade in late summer to remove spent flower spikes and stimulate vigorous new vegetative growth. This cutting also helps keep the plant tidy and prevents excessive self-seeding.
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