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Egyptian Mint (Mentha niliaca): Nile Valley Mint

Overview

Egyptian mint (Mentha niliaca) is a mint species native to the Nile Valley and parts of the Mediterranean. It has a strong, pleasant mint fragrance and is used in Middle Eastern cuisine and teas.

Botanical Details

Family:	Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Mentha (MEN-thuh)
Species:	niliaca (nil-ee-AK-uh)
Synonym:	Mentha sylvestris

Culture

Similar to other mints: moist soil, part shade, spreads aggressively. Contain in pots. Used fresh in tabbouleh, teas, and lamb dishes. Dries well.

Herbs: Egyptian Grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium): A Spreading Annual Grass with Crowfoot Seed Heads; Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii): Tiny Aromatic Ground Cover; Chocolate Mint (Mentha × piperita subsp. citrata 'Chocolate'): A Sweet-Scented Herb; Spearmint (Mentha spicata): The Classic Mint for Tea and Cooking; Peppermint (Mentha × piperita): Vigorous Hybrid Mint for Tea and Flavor; Korean Mint (Agastache rugosa): Robust, Licorice-Scented Perennial for Tea and Pollinators; Orange Bergamot Mint (Mentha citrata): Citrus-Scented Mint; Ginger Mint (Mentha × gracilis): Hybrid Mint with Ginger Scent; Lime Mint 'Lime' (Mentha × piperita subsp. citrata 'Lime'): Intense Lime-Scented Mint; Variegated Ginger Mint 'Variegata' (Mentha × gracilis 'Variegata'): Cream-Edged Leaves with Ginger-Mint Flavor

Garden Articles

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum): Pollinator Magnet with Licorice Scent

Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora): Drought-Tolerant Herb with Lavender Flowers

Cuban Mint / Mojito Mint (Mentha × villosa): The Authentic Mint for Classic Cocktails

Apple Mint / Woolly Mint (Mentha suaveolens): Soft, Fruity Mint for Teas and Jellies

Fernleaf Lavender (Lavandula multifida): Fine-Textured Egyptian Lavender

Horsemint (Mentha longifolia): Wild Mint with Long Flower Spikes

Mint (Mentha): Vigorous, Versatile, and Best Contained

Plants

Agastache 'Blue Fortune' (Agastache × 'Blue Fortune'): Hybrid Hyssop for Long Bloom

Sunset Hyssop (Agastache rupestris): Rock Garden Hummingbird Mint

Agastache 'Ava' (Agastache 'Ava'): Hybrid Hummingbird Mint with Rose Calyces

Round Leaf Mint Bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia): Australian Native with Aromatic Foliage

Pineapple Mint 'Variegata' (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'): Ornamental Variegated Herb

Agastache 'Apricot Sunrise' (Agastache aurantiaca 'Apricot Sunrise'): Warm-Toned Hummingbird Mint

Agastache 'Heatwave' (Agastache 'Heatwave'): Heat-Tolerant Hummingbird Mint