Teide mint

Description

Elevate your garden with the rare and exotic allure of Teide Mint, a truly remarkable variety hailing from the volcanic slopes of Mount Teide, Tenerife’s iconic peak. Also known as Tenerife Mint, Canarian Mint, or Teydea Mint, this is one of the rarest spearmint cultivars known—with reports suggesting only a dozen or so plants remain growing wild on the island, making it a living link to endangered botanical heritage.

This mint is notoriously difficult to cultivate, and my own efforts to root it from cuttings failed for years. It wasn’t until I adjusted the soil mix to include extra potash, emulating the mineral-rich, volcanic substrate of its native habitat, that the plant finally flourished. The result is a vigorous yet graceful grower with a refined and complex scent profile—classic spearmint with an earthy, almost resinous note, reminiscent of its mountain home.

Teide Mint is ideal for teas, light infusions, and Mediterranean-style dishes, where its subtle but distinctive flavour can shine. Its resilience and scent also make it suitable for aromatic planting schemes, especially in containers where its soil preferences can be more easily managed.

This is not just a mint—it’s a conservation conversation starter, a testament to ecological specificity, and a tribute to the Canary Islands’ extraordinary biodiversity. For those looking to grow something rare, meaningful, and deeply aromatic, Teide Mint offers a truly unique and precious addition to the herb garden.