How to Grow Apple Mint
Antirrhinum majus
Although your database lists this as Apple Mint, the scientific name Antirrhinum majus identifies it as the ornamental Snapdragon. Gardeners prize Snapdragons for their tall, vibrant spikes that bloom in spring and early summer, adding vertical interest to borders or containers with minimal effort.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Apple Mint: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 3 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
Once seedlings are sturdy and temperatures have warmed up after the last frost, move them outdoors carefully, hardening them off gradually before planting.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare a well-draining soil mix adjusted to a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. As a warm-season annual, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date, as they are sensitive to cold. Sow the tiny seeds about 1/8 inch deep in pots or trays. Expect germination within 10 to 15 days under consistent warmth and moisture.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart once transplanted to ensure good air circulation, which prevents disease. These tall stems often require staking or a trellis for support as they grow. Provide full sun to partial shade (at least four hours daily) and maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Apply a light layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and feed sparingly with balanced fertilizer.
Watch for aphids, flea beetles, and rust in humid conditions; treat infestations by spraying water or using insecticidal soap. Prevent powdery mildew by ensuring good air flow between plants. Unlike culinary herbs, you do not harvest flowers for food here. Instead, enjoy the blooms from spring until frost. If treating as a cut flower crop, snip stems when fully open, though specific days to harvest were not provided in the facts.
When to Plant Apple Mint
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
Companion Plants for Apple Mint
✓ Good companions
Apple mint repels cabbage worms and aphids that damage brassica crops
Mint deters cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles while improving soil health
Mint helps deter carrot rust flies and improves overall garden biodiversity
Provides natural pest control against slugs and aphids without competing for nutrients
Both plants repel harmful insects and create a strong natural pest barrier
Apple mint deters aphids and mice while peas fix nitrogen in soil
Mint repels flea beetles and root maggots that commonly attack radish crops
Apple mint repels ants, rodents, and flea beetles that commonly attack tomato plants
✗ Keep away from
Apple mint's vigorous growth and spreading roots compete heavily with delicate chamomile
Mint's aggressive spreading habit can overwhelm and shade out parsley plants
Mint's invasive root system can overtake strawberry beds and reduce fruit production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
