bunnings mint plant

Choosing Your Mint Plant

There are many varieties of mint available, each with its own flavour profile, growth habit, and ideal conditions. The classic bunnings mint plant is usually Mentha species, such as peppermint or spearmint, which thrive in moist, lightly shaded spots. Mint is famously low-maintenance and spreads quickly, making it ideal for pots or contained garden beds.

But if you're keen to add a touch of native charm or enjoy interesting foliage, consider branching out to mint bush plants. These ornamental shrubs offer mint-scented leaves, stunning flowers, and are well-suited to New Zealand’s conditions. For gardeners seeking something beyond the standard bunnings mint plant, these varieties are worth discovering.

Mint Bush Varieties for NZ Gardens

The mint bush family—Prostanthera—comprises several striking, aromatic shrubs. We proudly stock:

• Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant): This cultivar features blue-purple flowers and highly fragrant leaves, making it a brilliant addition to your herb garden or native planting scheme.
• Prostanthera ovalifolia variegata (Variegated Mint Bush): Showcasing eye-catching variegated foliage and lilac blooms, this variety adds interest and scent to borders and pots.
• Prostanthera rotundifolia Rosea (Mint Bush Prostanthera): With soft pink blossoms and lush rounded leaves, this shrub offers a fresh twist on traditional mint plants.
• Prostanthera phylicifolia (Spiked Mint Bush): This hardy shrub boasts spiked leaves and abundant purple flowers, perfect for attracting pollinators.

Each Prostanthera shrub brings a unique character to your garden, with foliage that releases a minty aroma when touched.

More Mint-Inspired Plants

If you’d like to incorporate the refreshing feel of mint into your landscaping, but want something that doesn’t spread as prolifically as classic mint, try Pittosporum Millfield Mint (Black Matipo). This elegant Pittosporum features mint-green foliage and is prized for its compact growth and versatility as a hedge or specimen shrub.

Growing and Using Mint Plants

Mint thrives in moist, rich soils and partial shade. Perfect for borders, container gardens, or beside pathways, its scent lends a pleasant freshness wherever it grows. Use fresh mint leaves in teas, salads, desserts, and cocktails—or dry them for year-round flavour. For mint bush varieties, enjoy their aromatic foliage and vibrant blooms, which enrich native gardens and attract friendly pollinators.

Explore our site to discover even more options beyond the traditional bunnings mint plant. Whether you’re after classic culinary herbs or native mint bush shrubs, you’ll find plants to suit every taste and Kiwi garden.