Mentha × gentilis
L.
Lamiaceae
Mentha × acutifolia Rabenh.
Mentha × agardhiana Fr.
Mentha × arrhenii H.Lindb.
Mentha × beckeri Heinr.Braun
Mentha × calvescens Heinr.Braun
Mentha × cantalica Hérib.
Mentha × cardiaca (Gray) Gerarde ex Baker
Mentha × ciliata Opiz ex Fresen.
Mentha × cinerea Opiz
Mentha × crepiniana T.Durand
Mentha × cruciata Opiz ex Steud.
Mentha × dentata Moench
Mentha × elegans Lej.
Mentha × elliptica Lej.
Mentha × gracilis Sole
Mentha × grata Host
Mentha × heleogeton Heinr.Braun
Mentha × hortensis Tausch ex W.D.J.Koch
Mentha × pauciflora Figert
Mentha × pauliana F.W.Schultz
Mentha × perdentata Heinr.Braun
Mentha × postelbergensis Opiz
Mentha × pratensis Sole
Mentha × pugetii Pérard
Mentha × resinosa Opiz
Mentha × rhomboidifolia Pérard
Mentha × strailii T.Durand
Mentha × subgentilis Heinr.Braun
Mentha × subundulata Borbás
Mentha × variegata Sole
Mentha × vegeta Baker
Mentha × vesana (Lej.) Dalla Torre & Sarnth.
Common Name: Ginger Mint
General Information
Mentha x gracilis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.45 metres tall.
Ginger mint is cultivated in European gardens (predominantly West, Central and N Europe) as a medicinal and aromatic plant. Early reports go back to 1600 when it was grown in gardens of Lusatia (E Germany). Today it is one of the most common Mentha races in German gardens. Cultivated on larger fields in the USA (Michigan, Indiana) and commercially in southern England. The essential oil is mainly used for flavouring chewing gum[
]. The plant is also harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Known Hazards
Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.
Botanical References
17- Title
- Flora of the British Isles.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
50- Title
- Flora Europaea
- Publication
-
- Author
- ?
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
A hybrid of garden origin,, Mentha arvensis x Mentha spicata.
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation.
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 0.45 m |
Pollinators | Bees, Lepidoptera, Insects |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade.
A sterile hybrid, the result of a cross between Mentha arvensis and Mentha spicata, though it can back-cross with its parents. There are some named varieties[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
], most of which have variegated leaves.
This species produces higher yields of essential oils than its parent, Mentha spicata[
].. However, it is somewhat less easy in cultivation than most other mints, being more susceptible to frost, fungi and insects.. It can be lost over winter if the weather is very cold or wet and so needs to be grown in a warm, well-drained sunny position[
,
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
A polymorphic species[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The whole plant has a strong minty aroma with a hint of ginger[
245- Title
- Scented Flora of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Genders. R.
- Publisher
- Robert Hale. London.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
- 0-7090-5440-8
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[
233- Title
- Perennial Garden Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0 460 86048 8
- Description
- A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].
Edible Uses
Leaves - raw or cooked. They are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
105- Title
- Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
- Publisher
- Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
- Year
- 1976
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
]. A refreshing odour and taste[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
], they are said to go particularly well with melon, tomatoes and fruit salads[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. The slight ginger scent make them an interesting addition to fresh salads[
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
].
A herb tea is made from the leaves.
An essential oil from the leaves is used as a spearmint flavouring, it is especially used in N. America in chewing gums[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
,
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Medicinal
Ginger mint, like many other members of this genus, is often used as a domestic herbal remedy, being valued especially for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestion. Like other members of the genus, it is best not used by pregnant women because large doses can cause an abortion. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
].
The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
Mint species are usually good bee and butterfly attractant plants, supplying them with good quality pollen and nectar[
24- Title
- Making a Wildlife Garden.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Baines. C.
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
]
Mints are usually quite aromatic plants and they make good companions for cabbages and tomatoes, their aromatic nature helping to repel insect pests..
Other Uses
The essential oil obtained from the leaves has a spearmint flavour and is used commercially in N. America[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. Members of the genus have therefore often been used in homes as strewing herbs and have also been spread in granaries to keep rodents off the stored grain[
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
].
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.