Banana mint is one of the many various varieties of mint. As the name indicates this cultivar has the delectable aroma and flavor of bananas which is not betrayed by its appearance. The leaves are a flagrant lime green and at times a tad fuzzy.
Aside from their culinary attributes banana mint is sometimes grown strictly for its aesthetic appeal and in bee butterfly gardens as its delicate lavender colored blossoms appear most of the summer and attract bees and other pollinators.
- Perennial
- USDA zones 5 to 11
- Soil pH 6.0 to 7.0
- Partial Shade best or tolerable of Full Sun
- Soil: Well Drained
- Space Seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart
- Mature height: 16 to 18 inches
- Growth Habit: Trailing ground hugger
Starting these plants from seed is a tad tricky. Germination rates are low and they are slow to get going. Starting from cuttings or divisions is the most common mode of starting banana mint. if you have access to any, or starter plants can be purchased.
Banana Mint is vigorous in most soils so long as it is well draining. Modest amounts of fertilizer 2 to 3 times per season can’t hurt. Fertilize once in early Spring and then every fifth week thereafter with a balanced fertilizer.
Banana mint does not spread as prolifically as some of it cousins in the mint family but it still can be invasive once established for a few seasons. You’ll need to maintain their spread in order to prevent them from overrunning neighboring plants.
One method of controlling mint plant is using bottomless containers 12 – 15 inches in depth and sunk in the ground with one or two inches protruding above the soil surface. Another is to plant them above ground in containers.
Keep the plants in check by harvesting the tips on a regular basis and removing renegade runners. Small flowers bloom from June to September, you should trim these before the buds open to keep the plant compact and manageable.
A layer of mulch in the Autumn will help protect them in their winter dormancy.