Learn more about growing and caring for apple mint.
Hardy inUSDA zones5-9, apple mint spreads rapidly through rhizomes and can become invasive.
If ingested, the leaves and stems are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
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The leaves have a milder mint flavor than some varieties with a light fruity hint of apple.
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Light
In cooler growing areas, apple mint grows best in full sun.
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In areas of high temperatures, it needs some afternoon shade to protect the leaves from burning.
When grown in shade, apple mint will become leggy and flop over.
Water
To produce fresh, tender leaves, apple mint requires regular watering and consistently moist soil.
Propagating
Apple mint can be propagated by taking cuttings and rooting them in water.
How to Harvest and Use Apple Mint
Regular harvesting is important for good-tasting apple mint.
Once the plant produces flowers or goes to seed, the leaves can have a bitter note.
The leaves should be stored in the refrigerator.
The leaves can also be frozen or dried.
To freeze, rough-chop the leaves and pack them into ice cube trays.
Add just enough water to act as a binder between the leaves, then freeze.
To dry the apple mint leaves, use a dehydrator or hang the mint plants to air-dry.
Crumble the leaves and store them in an air-tight glass container.
Apple mint is a herbaceous perennial that spreads through rhizomes.
Mint.ASPCA
Insect-Repelling Plants for Your Garden.University of Georgia Extension.
