Classification of Mint Plants

Mentha

• Perhaps the most well-known classification of mint plants is the genus Mentha, which contains the plant species spearmint (Mentha spicata), water mint (Mentha aquatica) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita), the latter of which is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint. Mentha mint plants are fast-growing and can reach between 6 inches and 3 feet tall and between 1 and 3 feet wide. The leaves of the plants are typically serrated and often have slightly furry or hairy surfaces. People commonly use the leaves for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Mentha flowers grow in whorls, or clusters of blooms, which protrude from the stems like spikes. These flowers can be white, purple or pink.

Thymus

• In comparison with the mint plants in the Mentha genus classification, Thymus mint plants tend to develop smaller, stockier leaves. These leaves typically reach a maximum diameter of half an inch or less. In addition, although the white, lavender or red flowers of mint plants in the Thymus genus do grow in clusters, these clusters cover the plants, as opposed to shooting outward as separate spikes. Thymus plants typically reach maximum heights of less than 15 inches and develop dense, woody stems as they age. The most popular species are common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), wild thyme (Thymus serphyllum) and lemon thyme (Thymus x. citriodorus). People commonly use the leaves of Thymus plants for culinary purposes, especially for flavoring meats and marinades.

Ocimum

• Plants in the Ocimum genus of mint plants have square stems and typically have leaves that are between 2 and 3 inches long. In comparison with the leaves on Mentha mint plants, Ocimum leaves often have a more leathery texture. According to Iowa State University, the most popular species of Ocimum, which is also one of the most popular herbs on the planet, is Ocimum basilicum, or sweet basil. Sweet basil has bright green leaves, produces white flowers and comes in variety of cultivars, or subspecies. These include Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum Genovese), which has dark green leaves and is popular for use in pesto, and purple basil (Ocimum basilicum Purpurascens), which people often grow for its ornamental, purple-colored leaves. While the Ocimum basilicum species and its many cultivars are not well-known for producing showy flowers, thrysiflora basil (Ocimum thrysiflora) develops seed heads with mounds of purple flowers and holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), which people sometimes use in religious ceremonies, produces white or violet flowers.