Korean mint, also known as anise hyssop or licorice mint, is an aromatic perennial with attractive light purple to violet-blue flower spikes made up of numerous small blossoms. The upright stems bear fragrant, light to dark green leaves with a mild aniseed and licorice flavour.
The young leaves and flowers are edible and are widely used in Korean cuisine to flavour salads, pancakes, soups, stews and fish dishes. Fresh or dried leaves can also be used to prepare a fragrant herbal tea with a delicate aniseed taste. In traditional herbal medicine, this tea has long been used to promote perspiration during the onset of a cold and to support healthy digestion. Korean mint is an excellent nectar plant that attracts large numbers of bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects. It flowers from July to September and reaches a height of 60–100 cm (24–40 in), depending on the growing conditions and variety. This hardy perennial dies back in autumn. Although it is frost hardy, it does not tolerate wet winter conditions well. In areas with heavy rain, frost or snow, it is advisable to protect the plant with a layer of leaves or mulch and to grow it in well-drained soil. Korean mint is very attractive for bees, butterflies, hoverflies, bumblebees and other benificial insects. Korean mint flowers from July trough September. Hardy perennial. Height: 60 - 100 cm.
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: April - May
Germination: 10 - 14 days
Germinationtemp.: 16 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: shallow - ½ cm
Plant distance: 25 - 30 cm
Plant position: sunny
Flowering period: July - September
Harvesting period: July - October
Korean mint can be started indoors from March onwards. Use seed trays or pots filled with a fine seed-starting compost. Sow the seeds evenly over the moist compost and gently press them down. Cover the seeds with only a very thin layer of compost or vermiculite, as Korean mint is a light germinator and requires light for successful germination. Cover the tray with a transparent lid or plastic wrap to maintain a high level of humidity. Place it in a bright location out of direct midday sunlight. Keep the temperature constant between 16 and 20 °C, especially during the night, as lower temperatures may delay germination. Keep the compost evenly moist throughout the germination period, but avoid overwatering. Seeds usually germinate within 10 - 14 days.
Remove the cover as soon as the seedlings emerge to provide good air circulation and prevent fungal diseases. Once the seedlings have developed several true leaves, carefully transplant them into individual pots. Continue growing them in a bright, sunny location. After approximately six weeks, and once all danger of frost has passed, gradually harden off the plants by placing them outdoors for increasingly longer periods over the course of a week. They can then be planted into the garden or into large containers.
From mid-April onwards, seeds can be sown directly outdoors in a sunny, sheltered position. Loosen the soil thoroughly and remove any weeds. Sow the seeds thinly and rake them lightly into the soil. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to a spacing of 25 - 30 cm, allowing the plants enough room to develop into strong, bushy clumps.
Korean mint grows best in a sunny location with fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It tolerates short periods of drought, but flowers more abundantly if watered regularly during prolonged dry weather. Remove faded flower spikes regularly to encourage continuous flowering. At the end of the season, leave a few flower spikes on the plant if desired, as birds enjoy feeding on the ripe seeds. In autumn the above-ground parts die back naturally. The stems may be left standing throughout the winter to protect the crown and should be cut back in spring. Although Korean mint is fully hardy, additional winter protection with leaves, straw or mulch is recommended in areas with severe winters or poorly drained soils. Leaves and young flowering shoots can be harvested regularly from July until October. The leaves may be used either fresh or dried. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce fresh new growth. Korean mint is one of the finest nectar plants for the garden. Its flowers attract large numbers of bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects. Birds also enjoy feeding on the ripe seeds during autumn.
