Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata)

Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata) is an herb that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata).

This plant has several common names including: eau de Cologne mint, bergamot mint, lemon mint or orange mint.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 1-2 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: eau de Cologne mint, bergamot mint, lemon mint, orange mint
Scientific name: Mentha × piperita f. citrata
Plant type: Herbs, Perennials
Habit: Suckering
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Poorly drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding

Seasonal colors

How to plant Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata) – Magnus Manske, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Mentha × piperita f. citrata likes to grow in moist but well drained or humid or poorly drained soils.

Sunlight

Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata) should be grown in full sun places.