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Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front

Soil

Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Mint is native to Europe but is naturalised throughout the globe, and has been cultivated for its medicinal uses for thousands of years. It's thought that the Romans introduced it to Britain.

These days, mint is used mostly as a culinary herb, adding a fresh, summery flavour to salads, sauces, summer dishes and drinks. It's easy to grow and, being perennial, comes back every year. There are many varieties to choose from, each with a distinctive flavour. Best grown in pots in a sunny spot, it's a good idea to grow at least a couple of mint varieties in order to add variety and interest to dishes.

Banana mint, Mentha arvensis, is a low-growing mint with bright green, small leaves with a wonderful scent and taste of banana. Plants produce clusters of small, lilac flowers in summer, which are particularly attractive to pollinators.

Sow seeds indoors or under glass, from spring to early summer. When all risk of frost has passed, harden the plants off by gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions, and plant them out in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. If grown in the right spot, the plants will last for several years.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyesyes
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyesyes
Divideyesyesyesyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyes
Pruneyesyesyes

Mentha ‘Banana’ and wildlife

Mentha ‘Banana’ is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Mentha ‘Banana’ poisonous?

Mentha ‘Banana’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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