Apart from that, mint is not a fussy plant and will even grow under trees or in shade. Mint spreads through underground root systems and sections of these roots can be planted in autumn as an alternative to taking cuttings – useful for overwintering because mint dies back at the first frost.

full sun

Vigorous apple mint will grow anywhere, but the plants are happiest colonizing a hillside or patch of moist soil. Although the roots of apple mint stay shallow, over time they become woody and difficult to dig out.

Mint prefers rich, moist soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Mint sometimes grows wild in woodland areas or near old abandoned farmsteads. Be careful, though, because stinging nettle slightly resembles mint. Crush a few leaves with your foot.

Mentha

Toxicity. Mint species, including wild mint, spearmint and peppermint, are nontoxic to dogs, according to the Continental Kennel Club. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns that the only species of mint, in the genus Mentha, that is toxic to dogs is English pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium).

To distinguish between them, you’ll have to take a nibble. A strong menthol aftertaste means peppermint, while a sweet, light flavor means spearmint. Use young spearmint leaves in cooking, peppermint leaves for tea and other drinks. The climate in which the mint is growing can also help you identify it.

Mint is a common aromatic ingredient used in many products. In the form of an essential oil, it is extremely toxic to your dog. If your dog has been around mint and is now acting abnormally, contact your veterinarian.

According to ASPCA, dogs should not eat dried or fresh mint leaves, drink mint water, extract, or oil as these plants are not safe, i.e., they are toxic to dogs and applies to all the Mentha species.

Mint grows 1 foot tall and spreads sideways indefinitely through fleshy, white rhizomes, which are horizontal underground stems. Containers prevent mint rhizomes from colonizing other areas of the garden.

Most mint plants contain essential oils which can cause negative responses if consumed in high quantities. Both catnip and catmint are types of mint that are safe to cats. Garden mint may cause gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten.

Peppermint is probably the minty fragrance you’re most familiar with. Some kitties dislike the smell and with good reason: peppermint contains salicylate, a chemical also found in aspirin and poisonous to cats. Other cats are attracted to peppermint because it contains compounds similar to nepetalactone.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita), with its strong smell and spreading habit, may seem like a good choice to deter stray cats, but it is not known to have an adverse effect on these animals. Other plants, however, seem to repel cats.

The answer to your question is that it is a bad idea for your cat to lick toothpaste from your brush, no matter how much they love it. So, all in all, letting kitty eat human toothpaste is not a good idea. I may be able to explain why your cat loves the mint flavor so much…

Your cat is obsessed with mint because they are likely getting it confused with another herb from the mint family: catnip! Cats love the smell of both catnip and mint, and they often gravitate towards it if they smell it in your house. Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so it’s not hard for them to find it.

A cat’s nose is far more sensitive than ours, and while we might enjoy the minty smell of toothpaste or whiff of refreshing citrus, it’s not a pleasant experience for a cat.