COMPANION PLANT ‘ORANGE’ MINT GROWING WITH ‘SATURN’ SEMPERVIVUM

Copyright © 2025-2035 by Simone Chamberlin & Blake Reichert, Wild West Succulents All rights reserved

ESTIMATED READ TIME: 10 MINUTES

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DISCOVER EXPERT TIPS FOR IDENTIFYING ‘ORANGE’ MINT AND GROWING IT AS A COMPANION PLANT TO SUCCULENTS IN YOUR GARDEN

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Wild West Succulents!

In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify ‘Orange’ mint, along with key characteristics and helpful growing insights.

‘Orange’ mint is a unique mint variety known for its citrus scent and vigorous growth habit. Whether you’re trying to identify an existing plant or planning to add ‘Orange’ mint to your garden, understanding how it grows and speads is key to success. This guide covers identification, growing conditions, propagation, care, and practical tips to keep ‘Orange’ mint healthy and under control.

I have found it to be a terrific companion plant for my Sempervivum plants growing in my garden.

Let’s start!

🌿 ‘ORANGE’ MINT QUICK FACTS

• BOTANICAL NAME: Mentha × piperita citrata
• COMMON NAME: Orange Mint
• SUNLIGHT: Full sun to partial shade
• WATER NEEDS: Keep soil consistently moist
• SOIL: Rich, well-draining soil
• USDA ZONES: 4-9
• GROWTH HABITS: Fast-growing, spreading (can be invasive)
• BACKYARD/CONTROLLED SPACES: Containers or controlled garden spaces
• COMPANION PLANTING: Helps repel pests and attracts pollinators

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• ‘ORANGE’ MINT

🌿 WHERE TO PURCHASE ‘ORANGE MINT’

Because availabilty can vary and many small growers sell in limited batches on ETSY, I’ve also included links to larger retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Home Deport for more consistent availability.

• Celtic Frost Herb Farm, ORANGE MINT PLANT
• Gingers Greenhouse, ORANGE MINT STARTER PLANT
• The Holler Papaw, ORANGE MINT CUTTING
• Roots On The Willapa, ORANGE MINT PLANT
• Outdoor Plants, 1 STARTER PLANT OF PERENNIAL HERB ORANGE MINT
• Amazon
• Walmart
• Home Depot

🌿 HOW TO IDENTIFY ‘ORANGE’ MINT

‘Orange’ mint (Mentha x piperita citrata) is a fragrant mint variety known for its bright citrus scent and vigorous growth.

• COMMON NAME: ‘Orange’ mint
• SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mentha x piperita ‘Orange’
• PLANT TYPE: Herbaceous perennial
• FAMILY: Lamiaceae (mint family)
• SCENT: One of the best reasons to grow ‘Orange’ mint is its strong, sweet citrus scent, which attracts both bees and humans alike.
• PRIMARY COLOR OF LEAVES: Green
• LEAF SHAPE: Smooth, shiny and round
• STEM SHAPE: Square
• FLOWERS: Pale purple to pink
• FLOWER TIME: June-August

APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS

• DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Round small leaves on a long square fragrant stem
• IS ‘ORANGE’ MINT A HYBRID: Yes, has a close genetic connection with peppermint
• HEIGHT: 16” to 36″
• SPREAD: Can be invasive and spread quickly if not held in control or contained
• SIZE AND SHAPE: A plant tends to be bushy with multiple stems that spread out as it grows
• HARDINESS ZONE: 4 to 9, it may die back in winter
• PERENNIAL NATURE: ‘Orange’ mint is a perennial herb that returns each year, spreading by underground runners and forming dense, fragrant patches over time.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MINT FOUND ON WIKIPEDIA

FOR INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ‘ORANGE’ MINT

🌿 HOW TO GROW ‘ORANGE’ MINT

• SUNLIGHT: Full sun to partial shade. ‘Orange’ mint grows best in 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, but it can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
• AFTERNOON SHADE HELPS: In very hot or dry areas, providing some afternoon shade prevents the leaves from scorching and keeps the plant vibrant.
• CONTAINER VS. GARDEN: Plants in containers may dry out faster in full sun, so monitor soil moisture closely.
• SOIL TYPE: Loamy/medium, sandy/light, well-draining
• SOIL DRAINAGE: Well-drained
• WATER NEEDS: Low

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

• PRUNING: Regular pruning keeps ‘Orange’ mint bushy and healthy. Pinching back stems or harvesting leaves encourages fresh growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy.
• CONTAINMENT: Because ‘Orange’ mint spreads aggressively, it’s best grown in containers or with barriers to prevent it from overtaking other plants in the garden.
• MAINTENANCE: Easy
• TOLERANCE: Drought, deer, rabbit, dry soil, rocky soil
• WINTER CARE: Trim stems as close to the ground as possible to allow for fresh new growth to appear in spring.

ESTABLISHED HERB GARDENS WITH REGULAR PRUNING

• ‘Orange’ mint can grow successfully alongside other strong herbs in a well-maintained herb garden, especially when it is pruned regularly to keep its vigorous growth under control.

CONTAINMENT WITH RAISED BEDS

• Growing ‘Orange’ mint in containers is one of the simplest ways to enjoy this herb while keeping its growth under control.
• This can be done with raised beds.
• Planting mint in a raised bed with root barriers offer a controlled environment that supports healthy growth without the risk of spreading.

Raised garden beds are a great way to keep mint contained while creating a more organized growing space. Below are a few places, including Amazon, where you can find options to suit your garden.

WHERE TO PURCHASE RAISED GARDEN BEDS

• Walmart
• Etsy
• Home Depot
• Tractor Supply Co.
• Wayfair
• Lowes
• Target
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Garrett Wade
• Vego Garden
• Gardeners Supply Company
• Amazon

PROPAGATION

• STEM CUTTINGS: Simply cut off a piece of mint, place it in water and wait for roots to form then plant your new plant in soil.
• ROOT DIVISION/TRANSPLANTED FROM RUNNERS: Look for plants that have spread from the parent plant. Remove the plant by cutting or pulling up the plant. This happens often when weeding about a parent plant so have your soil ready for your new plant(s).
• SEEDS: ‘Orange’ mint is not reliably grown from seed. Seed-grown plants often revert to plain spearmint, peppermint or unknown mint.
• WHEN TO TRANSPLANT When crowded in your pot
• BEST TIME TO TRANSPLANT: Late winter, early spring, before new growth appears
• BEST TIME TO DIVIDE: Late winter, early spring while plant is dormant

PRECAUTIONS WHEN GROWING MINT

• OVERUSE OF FERTILIZER: I do not use fertilizer in my garden, but it has been recommended to me that too much nitrogen fertilizer can result in excessive leaf growth with no flavor or aroma.
• AGGESIVE SPREADING: ‘Orange’ mint is an enthusiastic grower and can quickly spread through underground runners, so keeping an eye on its growth helps prevent it from taking over your garden.
• CONTAINER RECOMMENDATIONS: For easy control, grow ‘Orange’ mint in a container with good drainage. A pot at least 12 inches wide gives the roots room to grow while keeping the plant contained.
• GARDEN BED BARRIERS: When planting ‘Orange’ mint directly in garden beds, install root barriers or buried edging to prevent runners from spreading beyond their space.

TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON PROBLEMS

• YELLOWING LEAVES: Yellowing leaves are often a sign of too much water or a nutrient deficiency. Adjust watering and consider adding compost or a gentle fertilizer to restore healthy growth.
• LEGGY GROWTH: Leggy stems usually indicate insufficient sunlight or a lack of pruning. Provide more light, space the plants properly, and pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth.
• POOR FLAVOR: If ‘Orange’ mint tastes weak or bland, it may be overwatered or flowering. Moderate watering, regular harvesting, and removing flower buds will help restore its citrusy flavor.

COMMON PESTS AND DISEASES

• POSSIBLE DANGERS: Rust, leaf rot, root rot
• RESISTANT TO: Deer, dry soil, heat, humidity, poor soil
• DISEASES: Powdery mildew, rust, verticillium wilt/root rot, leaf spot
• PESTS DANGEROUS TO ‘ORANGE’ MINT: Aphids, slugs, snails, spider mites, whiteflies, cutworms

TIPS TO PREVENT DISEASE

• Plant mint in well-draining soil
• Provide plants with good air circulation
• Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal problems
• Remove dead or diseased leaves promptly
• Clean pruning tools before using

GARDEN USES AND COMPANION PLANTS

• POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY PLANTS: ‘Orange’ mint is both pollinator-friendly, drawing bees to your garden, and a helpful companion plant for vegetables and flowers that benefit your pollination and pest control.
• WHERE TO PLANT: Pots, rock walls, pathways, living walls, rock gardens
• GARDEN BEDS: Bed, borders, edging, patio, containers, fairy garden, provides winter interests, groundcover, xeriscape, rock gardens, hanging baskets
• ATTRACTS: Bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
• ATTRIBUTES: Culinary, fragrant, pollinator
• COMPANION PLANTS: Sempervivum, roses, lilac, herbs, peonies, lavender, sage, poppies, sweet marjoram, rosemary, strawberries, tarragon, raspberries, bearded Iris, blueberries, wild clover, Cyclamen persicum, sedum

USES FOR ‘ORANGE’ MINT

CULINARY USES

• Herbal teas (hot or iced)
• Fruit salads and deserts
• Cocktails and mocktails
• Infused water and syrups
• Garnish for cakes and patries

‘Orange’ mint’s gentle citrus flavor pairs well with both sweet dishes and refreshing drinks.

For more information or ideas how to use ‘Orange’ mint please see my blog post HOW TO USE ‘ORANGE’ MINT.

GARDEN USES

• Attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators
• Adds a light, citrus fragrance to garden beds and borders
• Grows well alongside herbs, succulents, and vegetables as a companion plant
• Perfect for containers on patios and entryway

In the garden, ‘Orange’ mint brings both beauty and function, offering fragrance, pollinator support, and an easy herb to enjoy throughout the growing season.

HOUSEHOLD AND CRAFT USES

• Potpourri and sachets to add a soft citrus fragrance to your home
• DIY cleaning blends for a fresh, natural scent
• Natural air fresheners for everyday use
• Herbal wreaths and dried arrangements for charming decor

‘Orange’ mint can be enjoyed beyond the garden, adding a fresh citrus fragrance to both everyday household uses and creative projects.

WHERE TO PLANT

SUNNY TO PARTIALLY SHADED AREAS

• ‘Orange’ mint thrives in full sun to partial shade, with some afternoon protection in warmer regions.

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS FOR GROWING MINT

• Be agressive when removing plants so that new plants will have a place to grow.
• Thank goodness! They will return every year
• Because they are hardy and difficult to kill, mint plants are a great choice for beginners and children learning to garden.
• At the end of the season, check garden centers for mint that has grown all season and is looking ragged. Many garden centers will almost give away their ragged mint at this point.
• To make sure your plant is not dead, check near the base of the plant for new leaves appearing and coming out of the soil.
• If you see this, the plant is safe to purchase.
• Simply trim to the new growth and plant in your garden or planter for next seasons enjoyment.

CONCLUSION

‘Orange’ mint is more than just a fragrant herb it’s a dependable and cheerful addition to the garden with a wide range of uses. With thoughful placement and simple care, this versatile plant offers beauty, flavor, and pollinator appeal season after season, whether grown in containers, garden beds, or enjoyed in the kitchen.

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SOURCES

SPECIALTY PRODUCE, ORANGE MINT

WIKIPEDIA, MENTHA

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