Mint plants with purple flowers provide the perfect combination of beauty, fragrance, and culinary convenience. These easy-to-grow and adaptable plants can thrive without much hassle in a wide range of conditions.
Here, we will talk about a few mints – such as chocolate mint and lemon balm – that produce purple blooms with unique twists in taste and scent. Read further to find the one suited to your tastes.
Contents
Some Mints With Purple Blossoms
1. Chocolate Mint
Chocolate mint is a hybrid member of the mint family with a unique fragrance and taste. It is closely related to ordinary peppermint as it is a cross of peppermint with orange mint. The resulting hybrid is a sterile cultivator, meaning it does not produce any seeds.
This cultivar is a fast-growing plant, often cultivated as an annual plant in colder regions. It is best planted in the spring when the last frost has passed, and it quickly grows to its mature state. Consider limiting its growth as it can quickly cover a lot of areas.
– Characteristics
The chocolate cultivar of the mint family gets its name because of its chocolate aroma, but its taste is similar to citrus fruit. The plant does not grow to a considerable height (only about 2 feet) but propagates easily through rhizomes.
Another important characteristic of this particular variety is that the mint leaves have a darker green color compared to other members of the mint family. When the summer season arrives, the plant puts on an extravagant bloom of purple mint flowers. Due to its low height and vigorous growth, it is a good option if you are looking for a fragrant ground cover.
– Growth Requirements
Choco-mint prefers rich, loamy, evenly moist, but well-draining soil. You can add some organic matter or appropriate fertilizers if your garden soil is not nutrient-rich. On the other hand, if you plant it in sandy soil, you will have to provide consistent water to keep it alive.
These are among the few plants that prefer shade over full sun exposure. If you do place them under direct sunlight, provide consistent watering sessions to avoid dryness. Be careful about overwatering the plant because waterlogging will lead to root damage.
2. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a native European herbaceous plant. The leaves of this cultivar also give off a strong aroma which is why it is widely used as an ingredient in many salads and soups.
The plant is certainly a great addition to any garden because of its perennial flowers, which are a beautiful shade of purple. Because of its low-growing nature, you can even grow it indoors!
– Characteristics
Like the previous entry, it is excellent as a groundcover. However, this herb is a rapid-growing plant, and in some areas, it is considered an invasive species due to its ability to overshadow other plants and take over. A good measure to counter its invasive nature is to plant it in containers that will help limit its growth.
If you want to use the leaves in food, pinch any flower buds you see. If the flowers bloom, the leaves turn bitter and do not have a pleasant flavor.
– Growth Requirements
This fast-growing herb is sensitive to extreme conditions, so the best time to plant it is early spring. The herb is vulnerable to diseases like powdery mildew if planted indoors, so it is best to grow it outside in sandy and well-draining soil to avoid water logging. You should also add a few Lemon Balm companion plants to help it grow healthier and stronger!
Sunlight is vital for the plant to grow and protect it against diseases. In addition, the full sun will allow it to thrive in soil that spreads moisture evenly. Remember that it is preferable to leave the plant under watered than overwatered, as the latter causes root rot.
3. Apple Mint
Also called pineapple mint, this particular mint is one of the naturally occurring species of the mint family with ornamental white, pale pink, or purple flowers.
The species produces unique flavors that combine the signature minty taste with the fruity aftertaste of apples. It is native to southern and western Europe and the Mediterranean.
– Characteristics
The leaves of this particular mint are often used in many dishes to sweeten the flavor while also adding their unique fragrance. Another name for this plant is wooly mint, which comes from the fact that the plant produces dense clusters of purple-pink flowers that look like tightly packed wool.
The flowers bloom during the mid to late summer season. The plant has light green foliage with wrinkled leaves opposite each other. The plant itself grows to a height of about 3 feet.
– Growth Requirements
Like most other mints, this variety is also an aggressive grower. And like other cultivars we have discussed before, it also thrives in rich, moist, and slightly acidic soil. Good drainage will help protect the plant against root rot.
Sunlight is essential for the plant’s growth, but it can also thrive in partial shade. If you plant it in a garden, it will require continuous moisture to keep it healthy. The plant only needs water during dry spells and the summer season.
4. Spearmint
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a hardy perennial plant that is worth planting in your mint garden.
Like the wooly mint, spearmint got its name because of its unique leaves that are in the shape of spears. These leaves differentiate spearmint from the rest of the family.
– Characteristics
Unlike other mint varieties, spearmint has a unique fragrance that makes it stand out. This is because the chemical compound that gives mints their fruity smells is minimal in spearmint. Instead, it has a strong spicy mint taste, making it unique among the other mints.
Spearmint has been a prized plant for many decades due to its culinary and medicinal benefits. It is originally a native plant of the Middle East that was brought to Britain later. Spearmint is used in teas, jellies, candles, and essential oils.
– Growth Requirements
Spearmint is a vigorously-growing, hardy plant that grows easily in many regions as long as you meet its basic needs. Spearmint prefers partially shady areas and can even grow indoors under an artificial growth light. The plant needs rich soil that will drain quickly to avoid water logging. It is better to keep the soil evenly moist and avoid complete dryness.
5. Wild Mint
There are two varieties of this one: Mentha canadensis (Canada mint) and Mentha arvensis (corn mint).
The two are quite closely related, with purple, mauve flowers with either upright or slightly sprawling growth habits, with the leaves growing in opposite pairs. The plants average a height of around 15 feet at 18–24 inches.
– Characteristics
Both varieties are native to North America and certain regions of Europe, Siberia, and central–western Asia. The leaves contain aromatic oils whose scent is reminiscent of peppermint. They are used to make various mint products like teas and candies.
The plant is also a great source of essential oils and was commonly used by Native Americans in herbal teas as a general tonic and as a cure for issues like bad breath and toothaches. It is also excellent as hunting bait and a pest-repellent due to its powerful aroma.
– Growth Requirements
Like most other entries on the list, both the mint varieties grow best in full sun to partial shade. They prefer moist, well-draining, and moderately fertilized soil. Remember to let the topsoil dry out before you water them again!
6. Corsican Mint
One of the most popular low-growing mints, the Corsican or creeping mint is an excellent choice as a bedding plant thanks to its miniature size – a mere quarter of an inch!
It blooms with tiny purple, lilac flowers during summer, although the primary attraction for most is the groundcover potential. It is used in traditional medicine for its antiseptic properties and to help with indigestion.
– Characteristics
Creeping mint has both a strong minty flavor and scent, which makes it particularly famous in the culinary department as well as the pest-repelling department. It grows aggressively, though, so consider planting it in containers. Many people like to grow it between stepping stones as it can tolerate a reasonable amount of foot traffic, but feel free to put it wherever you want (as long as it is a little shady).
– Growth Requirements
Corsican grows in full sun to partial shade, though it thrives in shady spots. It prefers well-draining soil that retains moisture well (consider mulching if necessary). It can even survive in acidic conditions, though slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Water it regularly, but let it dry out in-between waterings, as constantly soggy soil will lead to root rot.
Conclusion
Mint plants with purple flowers are a great addition of colors, aroma, and edibles to any home garden. When you are planning to grow these herbaceous shrubs, keep the following points in mind:
- They are typically very rapidly growing plants.
- Like many other flowering plants, they need sunlight and good soil to prosper.
- Many mints combine fruity aromas with the signature mint taste, which makes an interesting combination.
Which mint type will you add to your garden?
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