Horse Mint is an aromatic, perennial mint variety with the same refreshing properties as peppermint and can therefore be used as an excellent alternative. The elongated, grey-green leaves release a pleasant mint fragrance and surround small, cone-shaped flower spikes with numerous purple-pink flowers. These graceful blooms make the plant not only attractive in the herb garden but also highly popular with bees and butterflies. Horse Mint is native to almost all of Europe and is a strong, easy-growing perennial plant.
Its fresh, mildly herbal mint flavour makes this variety highly versatile in the kitchen. The leaves can be used fresh or dried and add a cooling, aromatic touch to dishes. Use Horse Mint in soups, mashed potato dishes, stews and sauces to add a fresh flavour. The leaves are also excellent in summer salads, with fruit dishes and as a flavouring for dressings. The leaves can also be used to make a delicious, refreshing mint tea, served either hot or cold. Due to its vigorous growth and long flowering period, Horse Mint is a valuable plant for both the vegetable garden and the natural garden. The flowers attract many beneficial insects and contribute to biodiversity. Hardy perennial. Height: 80 - 100 cm.
Indoor sowing: April - May
Outdoor sowing: May - July
Germination: 12 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: ½ - 1 cm
Plant distance: 30 - 45 cm
Plant position: sunny, well drained soil
Harvest period: June - September
Mint can be sown indoors in seperate pots from the beginning of april till the end of May. Transplant these plant outdoors in the soil at the end of May, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrosts.
Sow outdoors from May till July. This plant can be fairly rampant. To prevent this plant from overgrowing other plants it should be sown in pots or containers that are closed at the bottom. It can be sown in almost any soil but it needs a sunny position. Keep moist but not waterlogged, it needs a good drainage. It can also be sown indoors in large pots in a kitchen windowsill to keep near while cooking.
