Plants
Mint
Mentha · Lamiaceae
Mint is the most rewarding beginner's herb of all: vigorous, thirsty, practically indestructible — and available in a range of varieties running from classic peppermint menthol to strawberry and chocolate notes. Its only „flaw“ is its urge to conquer: in a bed it wanders everywhere on underground runners, which is why the pot is its best friend.
- Light
- Bright to semi-shaded; tolerates considerably more shade than Mediterranean herbs.
- Watering
- Generous — mint is a moisture lover and drinks astonishing amounts on warm days.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Mentha
The world of varieties is a hobby in itself: peppermint (Mentha x piperita) delivers the strongest menthol, Moroccan mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa) is the quintessential mild tea mint, and then come variations such as apple mint, strawberry mint and chocolate mint with astonishingly true aroma notes. Tea lovers do best with the Moroccan — it never turns bitter.
Unlike its Mediterranean relatives rosemary and thyme, mint is a child of moisture: in the wild it grows on stream banks and damp meadows, and in the pot it never wants to dry out completely. A semi-shaded spot with morning sun is ideal; in blazing midday sun it wilts quickly and demands enormous amounts of water.
The most important care tip is bold cutting: regular, hearty harvests of whole shoots just above the ground keep the plant young and bushy. Menthol content peaks just before flowering — the best moment to dry or freeze a supply for tea.
Potted mint should be divided every spring and set in fresh soil, as it roots through the substrate at breakneck speed and exhausts it. Even in midsummer you can cut a tired pot radically back to five centimetres — two weeks later fresh, tender green stands in its place.
An honest word for pet households: mint is not severely poisonous to cats and dogs, but its essential oils can cause gastrointestinal upset if larger amounts are nibbled. Most animals avoid the intense scent of their own accord; the pot need not be banished, but it should not become a toy either.
Is Mint toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
For people, mint is harmless as a kitchen and tea herb. In cats and dogs the essential oils can cause gastrointestinal upset in larger amounts; concentrated mint oil is off-limits for animals. Occasional sniffing or a single leaf is usually harmless.
Typical symptoms: In animals after larger amounts: vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling; very rarely lethargy.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Place it bright to semi-shaded — morning sun yes, blazing midday sun better not.
- 02Water generously and regularly; the root ball must never dry out completely.
- 03Plant in nutrient-rich soil and feed every two to three weeks in summer.
- 04Harvest whole shoots just above the ground — it keeps the plant bushy.
- 05Divide every spring and repot into fresh soil, as mint quickly exhausts the substrate.
- 06In a bed, plant only with a root barrier, or the runners will wander through the whole garden.
Frequently asked
- Which mint is best for tea?
- Moroccan mint (nana mint) is the classic tea mint: mild, sweetly fresh and never bitter even when steeped for a long time. Peppermint is much sharper in menthol and better suited to a strong medicinal brew. If you like experimenting, mix in apple or strawberry mint.
- Is mint toxic to cats or dogs?
- Mildly. Mint's essential oils can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs if larger amounts are eaten — one leaf or a bit of sniffing is normally unproblematic. Concentrated mint or peppermint oil, however, should always be kept away from animals.
- Why does my mint keep drooping?
- Almost always simple thirst: mint transpires enormous amounts of water through its large, soft leaves, especially at a sunny window. After a good soak it usually perks up within hours. If it happens daily, the pot is too small or the spot too sunny.
- Can I keep mint on the windowsill in winter?
- Yes, but it grows only tentatively at a bright, cool window. In the garden or balcony box mint dies back completely in winter and reliably re-sprouts in spring — it is fully winter-hardy. A seemingly dead pot in February is usually just winter dormancy, not a loss.