Corn Mint

(Mentha arvensis)

Corn Mint (Mentha arvensis)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Mentha arvensis, commonly known as Corn Mint or Field Mint, is a deciduous perennial herb native to wet meadows, stream banks, and moist fields throughout Eurasia, including temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It typically grows to 10–60 cm (4–24 in) tall, with a creeping rootstock that gives rise to erect or semi-sprawling squarish stems. The plant is characterized by its aromatic leaves and pale purple flowers, which occasionally may be white or pink. These flowers appear in whorls at the bases of the leaves from mid to late summer and are quite small, each being 3 to 4 mm (1⁄8 to 5⁄32 in) long with a hairy calyx and a four-lobed corolla. The fruit is a small, two-chambered carpel.

Corn Mint is valued for its aromatic leaves, which are used to make mint tea, a traditional remedy for colds and digestive issues. It is also used in culinary applications for its refreshing flavor. In cultivation, it prefers consistently moist soils and can thrive in both full sun and part shade. It is often used in herb gardens, as ground cover, or in naturalized areas. However, gardeners should be aware that it can spread aggressively by rhizomes, potentially becoming invasive. It is also susceptible to rust and leaf spot diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.5-2 feet
  • Width: 0.1-0.4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Purple, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wet meadows, stream banks, and moist fields throughout Eurasia

Other Names

Common Names: Wild Mint , Field Mint , Ager-Mynte , Ackerminze , Acker-Minze , Rantaminttu , Menthe Des Champs , Åkermynte , Akkermunt , Vanlig Åkermynta , Åkermynta

Scientific Names: Mentha arvensis , Mentha canadensis , Mentha villosa , Mentha sativa , Mentha nemorosa , Calamintha arvensis , Mentha gentilis , Mentha arvensis subsp. austriaca , Mentha arvensis subsp. parietariifolia , Mentha arvensis var. arvensis

GBIF Accepted Name: Mentha arvensis L.