Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 45 - 60cm
Position: Sun / part shade
Soil preference: Moist / well-drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Hung Cay Mint Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Mentha x gracilis

Hung Cay Mint is a small to medium growing herb, reaching 46-60 cm high and 30-46 cm wide. The oval-shaped leaves are a bright mid-green and have a thin delicate appearance. The leaf has visible veins and a textured appearance, but less so than other mints. In summer, it has the small lilac flowers common to many mints. The square stem has a red tone and the leaves are held in an alternate position, which is a feature common to plants in the mint family.

It is generally accepted that Hung Cay Mint is a hybrid and identified as Mentha X gracilis. There are many Mentha X gracilis hybrids, including Ginger Mint and Red Mint, both of which have a similar red-toned stem. Hung Cay Mint presents confusion for many gardeners and home chefs because some writers refer to this mint as Mentha javanica. Since this is a herb used in Vietnamese cuisine, others simply call it Vietnamese Mint. However, Vietnamese Mint is a different type of plant that is not a member of the mint family.

Growing Conditions

Hung Cay Mint prefers to grow in full sun, with well drained soil and rich organic matter. This plant should be watered regularly and prefers moist soil. Regions with cold winters generally treat Hung Cay Mint as an annual plant and replenish the herb garden each year with new seedlings. This herb looks great as a border plant in the herb garden. It usually grows well without much attention and partners nicely with Lemon Grass and Perilla in the garden.

Culinary Uses

Hung Cay Mint has a zesty flavour kick, which has resulted in it being given the name of ‘spicy mint’ in Vietnam. Most Vietnamese dishes use some form of mint and this herb is considered as essential part of the cuisine. Hung Cay Mint is a sweet mint, pungent and contains menthol. It may help to think of this mint as a lighter version of peppermint. To start experimenting, use Hung Cay Mint in dishes containing beef or chicken, and try adding a few leaves to green salads or with fruit salad.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.