Mentha spicata Hollywood

The Hollywood Green Mint, known in Latin as  Mentha spicata,  is a variety distinguished by the particularly fresh and intense fragrance of its foliage : its powerful aromas of chlorophyll and menthol evoke those of the eponymous chewing gums. This herbaceous, hardy and perennial plant can be grown in open ground, where it can be invasive, or in a pot, where it will be easier to control. Its crinkled leaves, a vibrant green color, are best consumed fresh as they lose their fragrance when dried. They will particularly flavor your summer drinks and accompany your raw vegetables, tabbouleh, grilled dishes, sauces, desserts, or infusions. It can be planted in spring or autumn in any garden soil, for a harvest from March to October.

The Green Mint is an aromatic bushy plant with highly fragrant foliage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like lemon balm and sage. Preferably, plant it in a semi-shaded spot, although Mint can thrive almost anywhere. It is a perennial plant that will be cultivated for two or three years as beyond that, it tends to become less productive. Choose carefully where you want to plant it: Green Mint spreads very quickly thanks to its trailing roots. You can also grow it in a pot, which allows you to control its spread. In the vegetable garden, Mint is known to repel unwanted insects such as aphids and ants, as well as certain rodents. As for leaf harvesting, it can be done throughout the year, mainly from March to October.

There are many varieties of mint, the most well-known being green mint, peppermint, pennyroyal, and lemon mint. Depending on the variety, the leaves will offer you a whole range of fragrances. In cooking, use them from starters to desserts, to flavor salads and raw vegetables, summer grills, yogurt-based sauces, or fruits. The leaves are also delicious in infusions, in tea or hot chocolate.

Harvest: Harvest the leaves as you need them. Choose the largest leaves and cut the entire stem to encourage regrowth. Preferably, harvest in the morning to best enjoy the mint's aromatic qualities. If you want to dry the leaves, pick the stems before flowering.

Storage: Ideally, consume the freshly cut leaves. If you are not using the fresh leaves, dry the stems and store the leaves in a tightly closed jar, away from light.

Gardener's tip: If you want to grow mint in the vegetable garden while limiting its spread, plant it in a pot and bury the pot in the middle of your garden! Choose a large enough pot and regularly divide the clumps in autumn or spring.