Horse mint is a strongly aromatic plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae), just like, among others: basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, peppermint, ground ivy, white dead-nettle, hedge woundwort, self-heal, lavender, catnip, ornamental sage, bee balm, hemp-nettle, rock thyme, skullcap, coleus, germander, and bugle. This family is very large and includes many well-known herbs and garden plants. Most species are strongly scented and rich in essential oils. They are also very important for biodiversity and for various beneficial insects in the garden. These plants are also beautiful ornamentals that thrive in borders, gardens, insect-friendly gardens, natural gardens, and of course in pots on, for example, a balcony. They are often easy to grow, richly aromatic, edible, and insect-friendly. Horse mint is also known as wild mint. It occurs naturally in large parts of Europe, including the Netherlands. Horse mint often grows along roadsides, in moist grasslands, damp meadows, and along water edges. The small, spike-shaped flowers are lilac to light purple. They bloom above elongated, grey-green, and slightly hairy leaves. The scent and taste of horse mint are strongly minty and aromatic, and somewhat sharper than peppermint.
The uses of horse mint are diverse: it can be used in the kitchen in soups, sauces, mint dishes, and tea. However, due to its slightly bitter taste, it is less popular than peppermint. Medicinally, it is used for colds, digestive complaints, and mild inflammations, often in the form of essential oil. Horse mint is also used to promote biodiversity. It attracts many bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. It may also have a mild insect-repellent effect against, for example, mosquitoes. Horse mint is a strong and robust grower and is more suitable as a wild plant than as a culinary herb. Place horse mint in a slightly moist, sunny spot with partial shade. It requires little maintenance. The leaves can be used both fresh and dried. Like other mint species, it spreads vigorously and propagates via underground runners. It is therefore advisable to give the plant space and, if you want to prevent spreading, to contain it at the roots. Horse mint is a strong native mint species known for its vigorous growth, aromatic scent, and value for beneficial insects. It attracts, for example, honeybees, mason bees, mining bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, brimstone butterflies, cabbage white butterflies, red admirals, peacock butterflies, small tortoiseshells, speckled woods, Essex skippers, and small skippers. Horse mint flowers from July through September. Hardy perennial. Height: 50 - 120 cm.
Outdoor sowing: March - July
Germination: 10 - 31 days
Germination temp.: 10 - 23 °C
Sowing depth: shallow - 1 mm
Plant distance: 20 - 25 cm
Plant position: very sunny and sheltered
Harvest period: 80 - 100 days
Flower period: July - October
Sow this hardy perennial outdoors from March in a sunny, well-drained spot with some extra grit for drainage. Sow the very small, dusty seeds carefully and sparingly. It is useful to mix the seed with dry sand. This makes sowing easier and you can also see where you have sown. Sow shallowly and cover the seeds with a very thin layer of sowing soil. Keep well moist and weed-free. Keep the temperature as even as possible and do not let the temperature drop especially at night. Horse Mint is a very irregular germinator and it can take a long time (31 days) for anything to emerge. Don't give up too soon.
Once the young plants are large enough to handle, thin them out to about 20 - 25 cm.
Keep the soil well moist, but not too wet to avoid rotting and mildew.Horse Mint is a very tough, hardy, semi-hardy shrub used for making herbal teas, essential oils and as a kitchen herb. This little plant can be dried very well. Hang the picked branches together in a well-ventilated, warm room or outside under a shelter. Do not hang them in full sun as this will discolour the flowers and leaves. After 10 - 14 days, they should be dry enough. Pulverise the flowers and leaves. After this, you can store them in plastic containers or glass jars. Can be kept for 6 to 12 months this way.
