Australia’s supermarkets commonly stock two mint varieties - Moroccan Green Mint or Green Mint (Mentha spicata L. subsp. Spicata) and Round-leaved Mint or Apple Mint (Mentha spicata L. var. rotundifolia). The varieties that are available in your supermarket will depend on which state you live in. Moroccan Green Mint is primarily stocked in NSW and Qld supermarkets and Apple Mint is in Vic, Tas, SA, and NT whilst WA supermarkets have both varieties at various points during the year.

Other varieties of mint include Horsemint (Mentha spicata L. var. longifolia), Curled Mint (Mentha spicata L. var. crispa) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata L. var. Viridis).

But not all mints are actually mints  – Vietnamese Mint isn’t a mint, in fact it’s Vietnamese Coriander or Persicaria odorata (pictured below).

Common names for many plants vary widely throughout the world and mint is a good example. In Australia we use the common names which are specified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as they are one of the few government agencies worldwide that maintain a database of common names and their matching plant species.

Mint Varieties

Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata (Moroccan Green Mint - pictured above)

Mentha spicata L. var. crispa  (Curled Mint)

Mentha spicata L. var. longifolia (Horsemint or Silver Mint)

Mentha spicata L. var. rotundifolia (Round-leaved Mint and Apple Mint - pictured above)

Mentha spicata L. var. Viridis (Spearmint - pictured above)

Information prepared with the assistance of:
Allan Bugg – Allan has studied for a Bachelor of Horticultural Science at the University of Western Sydney, has Various Certificates in Agriculture and has previously held the position of President of the Australian Herb and Spice Industry Association in 2008/2009. He also has significant experience in the fresh produce industry in Australia.