Arabian Mint

Luscious, bountiful, and highly aromatic mint native to Northern and Southern Africa, Central and Western Asia, and continental Europe. Mounding, bushy herb with fuzzy, silvery-blue-green foliage, long narrow leaves, and tapered stalks covered in pale, lilac-colored flowers. Strong, peppery fragrance and taste. Our patch of Arabian Mint at the farm seemed to attract every possible insect pollinator around, and was consistently buzzing with the happy work of bees and wasps. As a mint, it will spread vigorously through the garden via creeping rhizomes.

Also called Horse Mint, Fillymint, Moroccan Mint, or St. John’s Horsemint.

Seeds per pack: 150-200

Germination rate: 57% on 2/22/2024

Planting / harvesting notes

Sow seeds on the surface of moist potting soil. Do not cover. Tamp down the seeds for good soil contact. Keep it evenly moist and in the sunlight until germination. Start indoors, and later transplant in full sun 10-12" apart. Consider growing in pots or with barriers to keep it contained as it spreads via vigorous, creeping rhizomes.

Seed keeping notes

Allow seedheads to dry and turn brown on the plant. Cut the stalks below the lowest seed clusters. If necessary, dry the seedheads further in the sun on a sheet or table away from moisture and precipitation. When fully dry, whack the seedheads in a bucket, allowing the ripest seed to fall. Sift through strainers to remove the largest chaff, and then winnow off the lighter chaff with your breath, a fan, or the wind.