About Mentha suaveolens Ehrh.
Apple mint, scientifically named Mentha suaveolens Ehrh., typically grows 40 to 100 centimetres (16 to 39 inches) tall. It spreads via stolons to form clonal colonies. Its foliage is light green, with opposite, wrinkled, sessile leaves. The leaves range from oblong to nearly ovate, 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 in) long and 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) broad. Leaves are somewhat hairy on the upper surface, downy underneath, and have serrated edges. Flowers grow in terminal spikes 4 to 9 cm (1.6 to 3.5 in) long, made up of multiple whorls of white or pinkish flowers. Apple mint blooms from mid to late summer. The whole plant is aromatic, with a fruity, minty flavour. Apple mint is native to southern and western Europe, and naturalised in central and northern Europe. It grows in damp and wet locations. As an attractive, hardy, easy-to-grow herb, apple mint is often grown as an ornamental plant. It prefers growing conditions ranging from full sun to light shade. Its leaves can be used to make apple mint jelly, act as a flavouring for dishes like apple mint couscous, be brewed into mint tea, used as a garnish, or added to salads. Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') is a cultivar of apple mint that has leaves banded with white. Grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × piperata) is a hybrid derived from apple mint. Apple mint has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years across many regions of the world, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
