Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Mint Lemon
Mint Lemon
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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.
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🌿 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.
