HybridContainer OK

Apple Mint

Antirrhinum majus

Flowers well under long days. Tolerates light frost. Group 3-4: considered a "main season" or "all season variety". Mix includes rose shades, cherry, pink, orchid, red, golden, lemon, and white. Edible Flowers: The flowers are a colorful garnish for use in salads, desserts, and drinks. The flavor is floral and slightly bitter, so use sparingly.

Harvest

120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

7–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Apple Mint in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Apple Mint · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilRich, moist, well-drained soil

pH6.0-7.5

WaterHigh, consistent moisture, thrives near water

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorSweet, mild mint with distinct apple fragrance and flavor

ColorLight green with fuzzy, woolly texture

SizeOval leaves 1-2 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Water: Retaining Wall Garden Pitt County Arboretum Containers. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium.

Harvesting

A capsule, half hidden by calyx lobes, short-beaked.

Type: Capsule. Length: 1-3 inches.

Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh apple mint leaves stay crisp for 7-10 days when stored properly. Wrap clean, dry stems in slightly damp paper towels and place in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator. Alternatively, treat cut stems like flowers – place in a glass of water, cover loosely with plastic, and refrigerate.

For long-term preservation, drying works exceptionally well with apple mint's fuzzy leaves. Bundle 6-8 stems together and hang in a warm, dry, dark location with good air circulation. Leaves are properly dried when they crumble easily, typically 1-2 weeks. Store dried leaves whole in airtight containers away from light to preserve essential oils.

Freezing is perfect for teas and cooking – wash and dry leaves thoroughly, then freeze in ice cube trays with water or spread on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Apple mint also makes excellent herbal vinegar when fresh leaves are steeped in white wine vinegar for 2-3 weeks.

History & Origin

Origin: Southwestern Europe

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer
+Attracts: This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
+Wildlife value: Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Apple mint repels ants, rodents, and flea beetles that commonly attack tomato plants

Cabbage

Mint deters cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles while improving soil health

Broccoli

Apple mint repels cabbage worms and aphids that damage brassica crops

Carrots

Mint helps deter carrot rust flies and improves overall garden biodiversity

Lettuce

Provides natural pest control against slugs and aphids without competing for nutrients

Radishes

Mint repels flea beetles and root maggots that commonly attack radish crops

Peas

Apple mint deters aphids and mice while peas fix nitrogen in soil

Marigolds

Both plants repel harmful insects and create a strong natural pest barrier

Keep Apart

Parsley

Mint's aggressive spreading habit can overwhelm and shade out parsley plants

Chamomile

Apple mint's vigorous growth and spreading roots compete heavily with delicate chamomile

Strawberries

Mint's invasive root system can overtake strawberry beds and reduce fruit production

Nutrition Facts

Calories

70kcal(4%)

Protein

3.75g(8%)

Fiber

8g(29%)

Carbs

14.9g(5%)

Fat

0.94g(1%)

Vitamin C

31.8mg(35%)

Vitamin A

212mcg(24%)

Iron

5.08mg(28%)

Calcium

243mg(19%)

Potassium

569mg(12%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173474)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally disease resistant, prone to rust in humid conditions

Common Pests

Aphids, flea beetles, mint root borer

Diseases

Mint rust, powdery mildew in poor air circulation

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does apple mint take to grow from cuttings?▼

Apple mint cuttings root in water within 1-2 weeks and are ready to transplant once roots reach 1-2 inches long. After transplanting, expect harvestable growth in 4-6 weeks. From initial cutting to first harvest typically takes 6-8 weeks total, much faster than the 60-90 days needed when starting from small nursery plants.

Can you grow apple mint in containers?▼

Apple mint grows exceptionally well in containers and this is actually the preferred method for most gardeners. Use containers at least 12 inches wide and deep with drainage holes. Container growing prevents the aggressive spreading that makes apple mint problematic in garden beds, while still allowing for abundant harvests throughout the growing season.

What does apple mint taste like compared to regular mint?▼

Apple mint has a much milder, sweeter mint flavor with distinct fruity notes reminiscent of green apples. Unlike peppermint's sharp, cooling sensation, apple mint is gentle and pleasant, making it ideal for people who find traditional mints too intense. The apple fragrance is more noticeable than the taste, which remains subtly minty.

Is apple mint invasive like other mints?▼

Yes, apple mint is highly invasive and spreads aggressively through underground runners called stolons. It can quickly take over entire garden beds if not contained. Always plant in containers, install root barriers, or dedicate a separate contained area. Many gardeners consider it more aggressive than even spearmint or peppermint.

When should I plant apple mint cuttings?▼

Plant apple mint cuttings after the last frost date in spring through early summer. In zones 4-7, the ideal planting window is late April through July. In warmer zones 8-10, you can plant almost year-round but avoid the hottest summer months. Fall planting works in zones 8+ but gives less establishment time before winter dormancy.

Apple mint vs spearmint - what's the difference?▼

Apple mint has distinctive fuzzy, rounded leaves and a sweet apple fragrance, while spearmint has smooth, serrated leaves and a sharper mint scent. Apple mint is milder tasting and more cold-hardy, but spearmint is less aggressive and better for fresh eating. Both spread vigorously but apple mint typically requires more containment due to its vigorous growth habit.