Editing Mentha (section)

== Cultivation ==
[[File:Mentha gracilis and rotundifolia MN 2007.JPG|thumb|''Mentha x gracilis'' and ''M. rotundifolia'': The steel ring is to control the spread of the plant.]]

All mints thrive near pools of water, lakes, rivers, and cool moist spots in partial shade.<ref name=Roda92/> In general, mints tolerate a wide range of conditions, and can also be grown in full sun. Mint grows all year round.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.harighotra.co.uk/my-blog/minted| title = Minted| date = 12 August 2014| access-date = 2014-08-18| archive-date = 2014-08-31| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140831074438/http://www.harighotra.co.uk/my-blog/minted| url-status = live}}</ref>

They are fast-growing, extending their reach along surfaces through a network of [[rhizome|runners]]. Due to their speedy growth, one plant of each desired mint, along with a little care, will provide more than enough mint for home use. Some mint species are more [[Invasive plants|invasive]] than others. Even with the less invasive mints, care should be taken when mixing any mint with any other plants, lest the mint take over. To control mints in an open environment, they should be planted in deep, bottomless containers sunk in the ground, or planted above ground in tubs and barrels.<ref name=Roda92 />

Some mints can be propagated by seed, but growth from seed can be an unreliable method for raising mint for two reasons: mint seeds are highly variable (i.e. one might not end up with what was supposedly planted)<ref name=Roda92 /> and some mint varieties are sterile. It is more effective to take and plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mints.

The most common and popular mints for commercial cultivation are [[peppermint]] (''Mentha × piperita''), [[spearmint|native spearmint]] (''Mentha spicata''), [[Mentha x gracilis|Scotch spearmint]] (''Mentha x gracilis''), and [[Mentha arvensis|cornmint]] (''Mentha arvensis'');<ref name=CanadaEncyc/> also (more recently) [[apple mint]] (''Mentha suaveolens'').

Mints are supposed to make good [[companion plant]]s, repelling insect pests and attracting beneficial ones. They are susceptible to [[whitefly]] and [[aphid]]s.

Harvesting of mint leaves can be done at any time. Fresh leaves should be used immediately or stored up to a few days in plastic bags in a refrigerator. Optionally, leaves can be frozen in ice cube trays. Dried mint leaves should be stored in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark, dry area.<ref name=Orti92/>