Crop of the Week: Spearmint

  • Mint originated in Europe and the Mediterranean and its many varieties are now cultivated all over the world. Long regarded as a symbol of hospitality, the Romans would strew it around at feasts and banquets as a welcoming sign to guests.

  • The word mint is derived from the Latin mentha.

 • Mint is a minor crop in Yuma County with production of less than 10 acres. As is true with various Yuma crops, mint is a specialty crop that is unavailable in many parts of the nation during the winter months.

  • There are about 30 species of mint and some say almost 500 varieties, including peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, orange mint, Spanish mint, pineapple mint, ginger mint, mackerel mint, lamb mint, horsemint, lemon mint, pennyroyal, water mint and chocolate mint.

  • The common garden mint is spearmint, not peppermint as most people assume. Mint is well thought of in Mexico, where it is known as yerba buena, the good herb.

  • Mint’s essential oils are used in perfume, cosmetics, air fresheners, drink flavorings, candies and medications. Mint is also used in cigarettes as an additive, because it can block out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothes the throat.

 • The essential oil of mint contains varying amounts of menthol, which has been shown to have antimicrobial activity. Traditionally, peppermint essential oil has been used to treat indigestion, headaches, colic, gingivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, spasms and rheumatism. Many people also believe the strong, sharp flavor and scent of mint can be used as a mild decongestant for illnesses such as the common cold.

  • The common mints, like spearmint and peppermint, are considered good to grow among tomato and pepper plants, where they enhance flavor, repel aphids, attract parasitic wasps to eat caterpillars, provide a "living mulch" ground cover.

  • Mint leaves are often used by campers to repel mosquitoes. Mint oil is also used as an environmentally-friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches.

  • Some mints can be propagated by seed. But it is more effective to
plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mint plants.

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Source: Kurt Nolte is an agriculture agent and Yuma County Cooperative Extension director. He can be reached at knolte@cals.arizona.edu or 726-3904.