15 Types of Mint to Grow

15 Types of Mint to Grow will help you discover which mint varieties are the best for tea, cocktails, desserts, cooking, and more. Whether you’re planting your first herb garden or expanding your collection, you’ll find the perfect mint for your needs. If you’re just getting started, be sure to read my guides on How to Grow Mint and How to Store Mint: Storing, Drying, and Freezing so you can enjoy fresh mint all season long.

Best Types of Mint to Grow

The many types of mint are some of the easiest herbs to grow, but not every variety tastes or grows the same. Some types of mint are perfect for brewing tea, while others shine in cocktails, desserts, fruit salads, savory dishes, or homemade beauty products.

From classic favorites like spearmint and peppermint to unique varieties such as chocolate mint, pineapple mint, apple mint, and mojito mint, and Moroccan mint, each offers its own flavor, fragrance, and culinary uses. This guide will help you compare the most popular types of mint so you can decide which ones deserve a spot in your herb garden, cocktail garden, or tea garden.

Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens)

Apple mint is one of the most popular flavored mint varieties thanks to its soft, fuzzy leaves and gentle fruity aroma. It has a milder flavor than peppermint, making it a favorite for gardeners who enjoy subtle herbal flavors.

Flavor: Mild, fruity mint with subtle apple notes.

Best Uses: Herbal tea, fruit salads, lemonade, mint jelly, cocktails.

Why Grow It: Apple mint is an excellent choice if you enjoy mild-flavored herbs that won’t overpower recipes. Its fuzzy leaves and soft fragrance also make it a beautiful addition to herb gardens.

Banana Mint (Mentha arvensis)

Banana mint is a unique flavored mint variety prized for its subtle banana aroma and mild mint flavor. Its soft leaves and tropical fragrance make it a fun addition to herb gardens, especially for gardeners who enjoy growing unusual culinary herbs.

Flavor: Mild mint with delicate banana notes.

Best Uses: Fruit salads, smoothies, herbal tea, lemonade, tropical cocktails, desserts, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: You enjoy unusual herbs and want a conversation starter that’s just as beautiful in the garden as it is in the kitchen.

Bergamot Mint (Mentha citrata)

Bergamot mint is a fragrant variety known for its refreshing citrus aroma that resembles bergamot oranges. Its attractive foliage and lavender flowers make it a favorite for herb gardens, pollinator gardens, and gardeners who enjoy growing herbs with ornamental appeal.

Flavor: Mild mint with bright citrus notes.

Best Uses: Herbal tea, fruit salads, lemonade, cocktails, infused water, desserts, and potpourri.

Why Grow It: Bergamot mint is an excellent choice if you enjoy fragrant herbs that are as beautiful as they are useful. Its citrus-mint flavor adds a refreshing twist to recipes while the flowers help attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden.

Berries and Cream Mint (Mentha hybrid)

Berries and Cream Mint is a unique flavored mint variety prized for its subtle berry sweetness and refreshing mint finish. This eye-catching hybrid has become increasingly popular in garden centers and is a wonderful addition to herb gardens for gardeners who enjoy growing something a little different.

Flavor: Mild mint with delicate berry notes and a hint of sweetness.

Best Uses: Fruit salads, herbal tea, lemonade, infused water, cocktails, desserts, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Berries and Cream Mint is a great choice if you love fresh summer flavors. Its unique taste pairs beautifully with berries, peaches, and citrus, making it a versatile herb for both the garden and the kitchen.

Chocolate Mint (Mentha x piperita ‘Chocolate’)

Chocolate Mint is one of the most popular flavored mint varieties, loved for its refreshing mint flavor with subtle hints of chocolate. Its dark green leaves and rich aroma make it a favorite for gardeners who enjoy baking, homemade desserts, and chocolate-inspired treats.

Flavor: Cool peppermint flavor with delicate chocolate notes.

Best Uses: Brownies, cookies, cakes, hot chocolate, ice cream, milkshakes, herbal tea, and dessert garnishes.

Why Grow It: Chocolate mint is an excellent choice if you love baking or making homemade desserts. It’s easy to grow, highly fragrant, and adds a delicious twist to everything from hot cocoa and ice cream to cookies and brownies.

Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Corsican Mint is one of the smallest and most fragrant mint varieties you can grow. Its tiny green leaves form a dense carpet of foliage, making it a favorite for rock gardens, fairy gardens, containers, and planting between stepping stones.

Flavor: Mild mint with subtle thyme-like notes.

Best Uses: Ground cover, fairy gardens, rock gardens, containers, pathways, and light culinary garnishes.

Why Grow It: Corsican mint is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a beautiful ornamental mint rather than a culinary workhorse. Its delightful fragrance is released when brushed against or walked on, adding charm and fresh scent to garden paths and outdoor spaces.

Ginger Mint (Mentha x gracilis)

Ginger Mint is a beautiful hybrid mint variety with variegated green and yellow leaves and a mild mint flavor accented by subtle ginger notes. Its colorful foliage makes it just as attractive in herb gardens and containers as it is in the kitchen.

Flavor: Mild mint with gentle, warm ginger undertones.

Best Uses: Herbal tea, stir-fries, fruit salads, Asian-inspired dishes, lemonade, cocktails, desserts, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Ginger mint is an excellent choice if you enjoy growing unique herbs that add both beauty and flavor to your garden. Its colorful leaves and delicate ginger-mint taste make it a versatile herb for cooking, beverages, and fresh summer recipes.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Although lemon balm isn’t a true mint, it’s a member of the mint family and one of the most popular herbs grown in home gardens. Its fresh lemon fragrance, vigorous growth, and versatility make it a favorite for herbal teas, cooking, and pollinator-friendly gardens.

Flavor: Mild lemon flavor with soft herbal and minty notes.

Best Uses: Herbal tea, lemonade, fruit salads, seafood, chicken, desserts, infused water, and cocktails.

Why Grow It: Lemon balm is an excellent choice if you love citrus flavors and relaxing herbal teas. It’s easy to grow, attracts bees and butterflies, and adds fresh lemon flavor to both sweet and savory recipes.

Mojito Mint (Mentha x villosa)

Mojito Mint is a favorite among home gardeners and cocktail enthusiasts for its sweet, smooth flavor and refreshing aroma. Traditionally used in authentic Cuban mojitos, this vigorous variety has a milder taste than peppermint, making it perfect for both beverages and fresh summer recipes.

Flavor: Sweet, mild mint with a smooth, refreshing finish.

Best Uses: Mojitos, mint juleps, lemonade, iced tea, infused water, fruit salads, cocktails, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Mojito mint is an excellent choice if you enjoy making refreshing drinks with fresh herbs. Its mellow flavor complements citrus and tropical fruits without overpowering them, making it one of the best mint varieties for summer entertaining.

Moroccan Mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa)

Moroccan Mint is one of the best types of mint for making herbal tea thanks to its sweet, refreshing flavor and gentle aroma. This vigorous plant is easy to grow and produces tender leaves that are delicious in both hot and iced beverages, making it a favorite in herb gardens around the world.

Flavor: Sweet, mild mint with a smooth, refreshing taste.

Best Uses: Moroccan mint tea, herbal tea, iced tea, lemonade, fruit salads, desserts, cocktails, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Moroccan mint is the perfect choice if you love drinking fresh mint tea or enjoy growing herbs you’ll use every day. Its mild flavor is less intense than peppermint, making it one of the most versatile mint varieties for beverages and summer recipes.

Orange Mint (Mentha x piperita Citrata)

Orange Mint is a fragrant mint variety that combines the refreshing taste of mint with subtle citrus notes reminiscent of sweet oranges. Its refreshing aroma and attractive foliage make it a favorite for herb gardens, containers, and gardeners who love cooking with fresh herbs.

Flavor: Mild mint with sweet citrus and orange notes.

Best Uses: Herbal tea, lemonade, infused water, fruit salads, cocktails, desserts, marinades, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Orange mint is an excellent choice if you enjoy citrus flavors and want a versatile herb for both sweet and savory recipes. Its refreshing taste pairs beautifully with fruit, chicken, seafood, and summer drinks while adding wonderful fragrance to the garden.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Peppermint is one of the most recognizable types of mint, prized for its bold menthol flavor and invigorating aroma. A natural cross between spearmint and water mint, it’s a favorite for herbal teas, holiday baking, homemade candies, and refreshing beverages.

Flavor: Strong, cool mint with an intense menthol finish.

Best Uses: Peppermint tea, hot chocolate, candy canes, cookies, brownies, ice cream, holiday desserts, and homemade peppermint extract.

Why Grow It: Peppermint is an excellent choice if you love bold mint flavor and use it often in baking, beverages, and desserts. Its vigorous growth, fragrant leaves, and unmistakable taste make it a must-have herb for both the kitchen and the garden.

Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’)

Pineapple Mint is a beautiful variegated mint variety with creamy white-edged leaves and a refreshing tropical aroma. A cultivar of apple mint, it’s prized for its attractive foliage and mild, fruity flavor, making it just as ornamental as it is useful in the kitchen.

Flavor: Mild mint with subtle pineapple and fruity notes.

Best Uses: Fruit salads, lemonade, herbal tea, infused water, tropical cocktails, desserts, garnishes, and summer drinks.

Why Grow It: Pineapple mint is an excellent choice if you want an herb that’s both beautiful and practical. Its eye-catching variegated leaves brighten herb gardens and containers, while its light tropical flavor pairs perfectly with fresh fruit and warm-weather recipes.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Spearmint is one of the most popular types of mint and the variety you’ll find in most grocery stores and home herb gardens. Its sweet, mild flavor is less intense than peppermint, making it one of the most versatile herbs for both cooking and beverages. If you’re only planning to grow one type of mint, spearmint is an excellent choice.

Flavor: Sweet, mild mint with a smooth, refreshing taste.

Best Uses: Mint sauce, mint jelly, tzatziki, tabbouleh, watermelon salad, chilled watermelon soup, herbal tea, lemonade, mojitos, mint juleps, fruit salads, vegetables, grilled lamb, mint yogurt sauce for lamb, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Spearmint is the best all-purpose mint for everyday cooking. It’s easy to grow, highly productive, and pairs beautifully with everything from fresh summer drinks and salads to savory dishes and homemade sauces.

Strawberry Mint (Mentha x piperita ‘Strawberry’)

Strawberry Mint is a charming flavored mint variety with a sweet, fruity aroma and a gentle mint flavor. Its compact growth habit and delightful fragrance make it a wonderful addition to herb gardens, patio containers, and kitchen gardens.

Flavor: Mild mint with delicate strawberry notes.

Best Uses: Fruit salads, strawberry desserts, smoothies, lemonade, herbal tea, infused water, cocktails, and garnishes.

Why Grow It: Strawberry mint is an excellent choice if you enjoy fresh berries and summer recipes. Its subtle fruity flavor pairs beautifully with strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and citrus, making it one of the most versatile flavored mints for warm-weather cooking and entertaining.

Which Types of Mint Should You Grow?

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you choose classic spearmint, refreshing peppermint, or one of the many types of mint, every mint plant brings something special to the garden. Start with one or two varieties you’ll use most often, then expand your collection as you discover new flavors for cooking, baking, teas, and summer drinks. With so many beautiful and easy-to-grow options, it’s hard to stop at just one.

I created the Types of Mint Plants pin below so you can save it to your herb garden or gardening Pinterest board and easily compare the different mint varieties whenever you’re planning your next planting season.

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