Wood Calamint Menthe

Calamint is an absolutely ideal perennial for beginner gardeners because it is exceptionally modest and will forgive you even potential growing mistakes. We recommend planting the supplied seedling in a hot and sunny location, which will provide it with the absolute best conditions for rich and long blooming. It likes well-drained, dry, and not too nutrient-rich soil. You had better avoid heavy and permanently wet soils. When planning planting, count on a spacing of roughly 35 centimeters, which corresponds to eight to ten plants per square meter. This spacing will ensure trouble-free air circulation. In spring, it sprouts rather late, so empty spots early in the spring are no reason for concern.

During the season, this long-lived perennial will surprise you with its self-sufficiency. After rooting, it is perfectly adapted to drought, so it requires watering only during extreme summer heatwaves. You can skip additional fertilizing entirely; poorer soil conditions suit it the most. Calamint blooms with clouds of white and pale purple flowers continuously from June to October. It is not necessary to remove faded flowers, as they are sterile, do not form seeds, and constantly renew themselves. The whole plant also acts as a strong magnet for bees and butterflies, and thanks to its spicy scent, it can also be used as an edible herb in the kitchen.

With approaching winter, you don't have to worry about calamint at all. It is fully frost-resistant down to an impressive -28 °C and can easily handle even very harsh winters in our conditions. The essential rule for successful overwintering is not to cut the plant in autumn. Perform a cleansing and hard pruning only in early spring, before the first new shoots appear. Since it grows to a height of only 30 to 60 centimeters and maintains a compact shape, there is no need to install any support against lodging.

Are you considering growing calamint in a pot? It's a great idea! This species is absolutely perfectly suited for planting in planters and decorative containers and will brighten up every sunny terrace. It is important to choose a container with a drainage hole and pour coarse drainage of expanded clay or gravel at the bottom. As a substrate, mix regular soil with sand, which will mimic its natural poor environment. In a pot, the soil dries out faster, so regularly check the moisture and water only when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch. For winter, it is enough to move the pot closer to the wall of the house, where it will be protected from excessive winter rains.