Mentha longifolia aka Wild Mint
Taxonomy ID: 4507
Mentha longifolia, also known as horse mint, fillymint, or St. John's horsemint, is a species in the genus Mentha. It is native to Europe (excluding Britain and Ireland), western and central Asia, and parts of northern and southern Africa. This attractive perennial herb has spreading growth and aromatic, silvery-grey green leaves. Although its flavor is not as strong as true culinary mints, it is still a popular choice. In the summer, short, dense spikes of pale pink flowers emerge, making it an excellent choice for attracting butterflies and for flower arranging. This highly variable plant has a peppermint scent and features erect to creeping stems, ranging from 40 to 120 cm tall. The oblong-elliptical to lanceolate leaves are 5-10 cm long and 1.5-3 cm broad, with a green to greyish-green color above and a white underside. The lilac, purplish, or white flowers, measuring 3-5 mm long, grow in dense clusters on tall, branched, tapering spikes. Flowering typically occurs in mid to late summer. Mentha longifolia spreads through rhizomes, forming clonal colonies.
Common names
Wild Mint, Horse Mint, Cape Velvet Mint, HorsemintMore information about Wild Mint
How difficult is it to take care of Wild Mint
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Wild Mint, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
What is the region of origin of Wild Mint
Wild Mint’s native range is Worldwide.
What are the water needs for Wild Mint
Wild Mint should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Wild Mint
Wild Mint loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Wild Mint
Wild Mint requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Horsemint will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.
What's the right humidity for Wild Mint
The Wild Mint does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.
Is Wild Mint toxic to humans/pets?
No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
What seasonal care does Wild Mint need?
During the wintertime, it is common for Wild Mint plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
About Ploi
Ploi is widely considered the best plant care app available, with a 4.99-star rating on both the App Store and Google Play. It is available on iOS, Android and web. Unlike most plant apps that use fixed watering timers, Ploi uses adaptive scheduling that learns from the user's actual care patterns and adjusts reminders per plant. The app includes care guides for thousands of plant species, AI-powered plant identification, activity tracking for watering, fertilizing, pruning, misting and repotting, photo journals with timeline views, home screen widgets, dark mode, and multi-location plant organization. Ploi is free to download.
