Mint Lemon
Mint Lemon
Couldn't load pickup availability
Lemon Mint Seeds
If you can't decide between fresh mint and zesty lemon, this is the herb for you. Often called 'Eau de Cologne Mint', Mentha x piperita f. citrata is a true mint variety that has been naturally infused with a powerful citrus oil.
Unlike Lemon Balm (which is grassy and sweet), this plant has the vigorous growth habit and dark, glossy leaves of a peppermint, but crush a leaf and you get an explosion of lemon and lavender notes. It is absolutely incredible for making fresh herbal tea, muddling into summer cocktails, or chopping into fruit salads for a sophisticated twist.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Lemon Mint is a Hardy Perennial.
It dies back to the ground in winter and shoots up again every spring with renewed vigour.
The Container Rule: Like all true mints, this plant has invasive runner roots (rhizomes) that will spread rapidly underground. Never plant it directly in a flower border or it will take over! Always grow it in a pot or container to keep the roots contained.
Top Tip: The purple-tinged leaves are slightly smoother than common mint and look beautiful in a garnish.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
This is an easy-to-grow herb that thrives in containers.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to May. Scatter the tiny seeds on the surface of moist compost. Do not cover them (or use a very light dusting of vermiculite), as they need light to germinate. Keep warm (18-20°C). Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
It tolerates sun or partial shade. It prefers rich, moist soil and hates drying out completely. A pot near the kitchen door or on a semi-shady patio is perfect.
Care While Growing:
Water regularly in summer. To keep the plant producing fresh, tender leaves, shear it back hard after the first flush of growth in mid-summer. Divide the pot every 2 years to stop it becoming pot-bound.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Mentha x piperita f. citrata |
| Common Name | Lemon Mint / Eau de Cologne Mint |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy - withstands cold winters) |
| Light Required | Sun / Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 30cm - 60cm |
| Spread | ↔️ Indefinite (Invasive roots!) |
| Spacing | 🌱 Plant in pots |
| Great for | 🫖 Citrus Tea 🐝 Bee Magnet 🍸 Cocktails 🏺 Scented Patio Pots |
| Seed Count | Approx. 800 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Lemon Mint is best grown in pots, so pair it with other container-loving herbs or flowers:
- 🌿 Thai Basil: The Aromatic Duo. Both herbs have a unique anise/citrus undertone. Growing them in pots next to each other creates a wonderful "fusion" herb station for summer cooking.
- 🌼 Calendula 'Art Shades': The Colour Pop. The bright orange of Calendula looks fantastic against the dark, purplish-green leaves of Lemon Mint. Both are edible, making for a beautiful and useful container display.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow in spring. Harvest leaves from late spring to the first frost.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Harvest | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ Containment Strategy
Mint roots are unstoppable! Even if you want it in a border, plant it inside a bucket with the bottom cut out and sunk into the soil. This stops the runners spreading horizontally while allowing deep roots to go down.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Lemon Mint is a fantastic plant for pollinators. Its late summer lilac flowers provide a valuable nectar source for bees when many other garden plants are fading.
Share
