MENTA (mentha suaveolens)

All mints tend to overstretch the mark in a short time as their underground stems spread the plants far beyond the area in which they are required. However, Mentha suaveolens "variegata", the variegated form of pineapple mint, with its smallish, rounded and slightly furry leaves boldly marked with large patches of creamy-white, can be useful ground cover where something slightly different in form and texture is required. It is powerfully aromatic, especially when the weather is warm; the scent of the leaves is supposed to resemble that of a pineapple, but to me it can be rather too much of a good thing. It does not grow tall, maybe less than 45 cm, but the stems are rather lax and the whole thing can look untidy and straggly. However, if the plants are cut back once or twice a season they will become more bushy and able to stand up by themselves. Space the plants at intervals of 45 cm.

Eu tenho menta em minha casa, mas é invasiva e já tomou conta de boa parte do canteiro das aromáticas. É a partir da menta que se fazem os rebuçados para a tosse.