Balkan mint is a small plant that is perennial. This small plant is native to Hungary and the Balkans. It is also native to south-eastern Europe. It is a member of the lipflower family (lamiaceae) just like Akkermint, Mountain Beanweed, Betony, Blue Catmint, Lemon Balm, True Lavender, True Marjoram, True Sage, True Thyme, Annual Beanweed, French Lavender, Crested Lavender, Big Thyme, Dog's Thistle, Purple Deaf Nettle, Peppermint, all Mint species, Water mint and Woolly mint. Balkan mint is a small, woody, semi-shrub. It blooms with white-lilac small flowers. The small leaves are oval, dark green and slightly shiny. It is very similar to Savory and Mountain Thyme. It has a very minty flavour and fragrance and is used in the Balkans to make a wonderfully refreshing herbal tea. Essential oil is also made from this plant. And this little plant is also used as a kitchen herb. Also a very pretty ground cover for the rock garden.
This plant is very popular with bees and other beneficial insects. Can be planted very well in herb gardens and rock gardens. Place this plant in a sunny, well-nourished and well-drained spot in the garden. Balkan mint is used for herbal tea, in cooking as a kitchen herb and as a ground cover. This plant flowers from July to October. Height: 20 - 25 cm. Hardy perennial.
Outdoor sowing: March - July
Germination: 10 - 31 days
Germination temp.: 10 - 23 °C
Sowing depth: shallow - 1 mm
Plant distance: 20 - 25 cm
Plant position: very sunny and sheltered
Harvest period: 80 - 100 days
Flower period: July - October
Sow this hardy perennial outdoors from March in a sunny, well-drained spot with some extra grit for drainage. Sow the very small, dusty seeds carefully and sparingly. It is useful to mix the seed with dry sand. This makes sowing easier and you can also see where you have sown. Sow shallowly and cover the seeds with a very thin layer of sowing soil. Keep well moist and weed-free. Keep the temperature as even as possible and do not let the temperature drop especially at night. Balkan mint is a very irregular germinator and it can take a long time (31 days) for anything to emerge. Don't give up too soon.
Once the young plants are large enough to handle, thin them out to about 20 - 25 cm.
Keep the soil well moist, but not too wet to avoid rotting and mildew. Balkan mint is a very tough, hardy, semi-hardy shrub used for making herbal teas, essential oils and as a kitchen herb. This little plant can be dried very well. Hang the picked branches together in a well-ventilated, warm room or outside under a shelter. Do not hang them in full sun as this will discolour the flowers and leaves. After 10 - 14 days, they should be dry enough. Pulverise the flowers and leaves. After this, you can store them in plastic containers or glass jars. Can be kept for 6 to 12 months this way.
