Mentha longifolia var. asiatica - Asian Mint

Mentha asiatica, the Asian mint, is an aromatic perennial plant grown for its grey-green, elongated, villous foliage that is very fragrant when crushed. It differs from more common mints in its matt, almost silvery foliage and its erect flowering stems bearing small light lilac flowers in summer. This variety can be planted in the vegetable garden or in a herb bed. Growing it in a large pot allows you to enjoy its vigour and qualities while controlling its running habit.

This plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like sages, thymes and lavenders. Its currently accepted botanical name is Mentha longifolia var. asiatica; Mentha asiatica remains widely used in horticulture. Its botanical synonyms are Mentha asiatica, Mentha asperata, Mentha kopetdaghensis and Mentha vagans. In the wild, this variety grows from western Asia to western China, under a temperate climate, often in cool places on banks, damp ground or disturbed soils that retain moisture. In the garden, do not confuse cultivation in cool soil with uncontrolled planting by a watercourse: this mint has a running stump that can become difficult to control if conditions are right. It is an herbaceous perennial: the aerial stems die back in winter, then the plant regrows from its stump in spring. Its growth is rapid, reaching 70 to 80 cm tall and spreading by means of short rootstocks. The stems are square in section, erect, sparsely branched, covered with a fine greyish down. The leaves are opposite on the stems, oblong-ovate to lanceolate, dentate on the edges, slightly crinkled or folded. Covered in hairs, they are grey-green with silvery reflections. When crushed, they emit a mentholated fragrance with a herbaceous note. The leaves are preferably harvested before flowering for infusions, cool drinks, flavouring sauces, fruit salads or summer dishes. Flowering takes place from July to September. The small lilac to pale mauve flowers are gathered in spikes at the top of the stems; lower down, they may appear in small rounded bunches in the leaf axils. This flowering attracts bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects. This mint has a complex relationship: the genus Mentha hybridises easily, which explains the many cultivated forms and the differences in scent, foliage and vigour from one mint to another.

In the garden, plant this Asian mint in rich, cool soil, in morning sun or partial shade. When planted in a large pot or a sunken container, its growth is easily controlled. It can be grown with other aromatic varieties such as Mentha spicata ‘Nannah’, Mentha x piperita ‘Schokominze’, Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’ or Melissa officinalis ‘Aurea’.