Mint - Basil Mentha spp.

Common Name:
Basil Mint

Description:
Basil Mint is a unique and highly aromatic hybrid herb that combines the refreshing qualities of mint with the sweet, clove-like notes of basil. This fast-growing perennial forms a dense, leafy clump of vibrant green foliage with a soft, textured surface and a distinctive fragrance that intensifies when brushed or harvested. Ideal as a culinary herb, it is commonly used as a basil substitute in salads, sauces, and garnishes, while also adding a refreshing twist to drinks and desserts. During summer, it produces small spikes of pale lilac flowers that are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Well-suited to Melbourne conditions, Basil Mint thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Like other mints, it spreads readily, making it best suited to pots or contained garden beds to manage its vigorous growth.

Form:
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding
Ground Cover

Mature Size:
Height: 40–70 cm
Width: 60–100 cm (spreading)

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
Pale lilac
Light purple

Key Attributes:
Bee Attracting
Culinary Herb
Fast Growing
Perennial
Scented foliage
Suitable for Pots
Can become invasive if not contained

Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets when consumed in typical culinary amounts.

Companion Plants:
Tomato
Capsicum
Basil
Parsley
Chives