Orange Mint
Helianthus annuus
This big sister to Sonja has larger flowers and thicker, sturdier stems. Branches are 35-48" and sport 4-6" blooms. May yield as many as 20-25 stems/plant. First sunflower to win an All-America Selections award. Also suitable for year-round greenhouse production. Day-length neutral. Minimal pollen. Branching. AAS Winner.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Orange Mint in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 herb →Zone Map
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Orange Mint · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| 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). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Seeds are ovoid and somewhat flattened
Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh orange mint leaves maintain their citrusy potency for 7-10 days when stored like cut flowers – trim stems and place in water, cover loosely with plastic, and refrigerate. Change water every 3-4 days to prevent bacterial growth.
For drying, hang small bundles in a well-ventilated, dark location for 7-14 days until stems snap cleanly. Properly dried orange mint retains much of its citrus character when stored in airtight containers away from light.
Freeze leaves in ice cube trays with water for instant additions to beverages, or layer whole leaves between parchment paper in freezer bags. The citrus oils freeze exceptionally well, making frozen orange mint ideal for winter tea blends and cooking applications where fresh mint isn't available.
History & Origin
Origin: Western United States
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Poor Soil
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
- +Edible: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Tomatoes
Orange mint repels ants, rodents, and flea beetles that commonly damage tomato plants
Cabbage
Deters cabbage moths and aphids while improving overall garden biodiversity
Carrots
Mint's strong scent helps mask carrot odor from carrot flies
Broccoli
Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and ants that attack brassica crops
Marigolds
Both plants repel similar pests and create a strong aromatic barrier
Radishes
Mint deters flea beetles which commonly damage radish leaves
Lettuce
Provides natural pest control against slugs and aphids
Peas
Mint repels aphids and ants that farm them on pea plants
Keep Apart
Parsley
Both compete for similar nutrients and mint's aggressive growth can overshadow parsley
Chamomile
Mint's vigorous spreading habit can overwhelm delicate chamomile plants
Basil
Mint's aggressive root system competes heavily with basil for space and nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173474)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, good air circulation prevents fungal issues
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, flea beetles
Diseases
Rust, powdery mildew, mint anthracnose