How Are Mint Plants Defined?

Herb

• Mint plants are defined as herbs and are widely used for culinary purposes. In fact, they were the primary source of seasoning in many homes before canned seasonings became popular. Herbs are defined botanically as plants that produces seeds without producing woody stems. But for many people, herbs are casually defined as plants that have a pleasing scent and flavor and can be used in cooking and baking.

Perennial

• Mint plants are also defined as perennials. Not all herbs are perennials. Many only live for one season, defined as annuals. Perennials are plants that return to grow year after year in certain climates, even if all of the above-ground vegetation dies. Not only do mint plants survive year after year, but they thrive and spread quite rapidly.

Cool-Season

• Mint plants thrive in cool, moist soil and prefer partial shade to full sunlight. They are classified primarily as cool-season plants. Although hardiness varies by species and cultivar, mint plants in general grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Chocolate mint (Mentha x piperita f. citrata "Chocolate"), which is called a "rare find" by the University of California Cooperative Extension, is hardy in UDSA zones 5 through 9, as is the more common spearmint (Mentha spicata).

Aggressive

• Mints are defined as aggressive plants.The roots spread rapidly and are quite hardy. On the plus side, this means that mint is easy to grow. On the downside, it means that they can become invasive if not contained. Mints, along with other herbs, are excellent container plants. If you don't want to grow your mint above-ground, plant it in a container and then bury the container in the soil so that about an inch of the container's rim protrudes above the surface.