Harvest calamint leaves in the morning, just as the plant starts to bloom. Leave enough stem for the plant to reshoot.
Harvest leaves in the morning, just as bloom starts
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Late spring through fall; flavor is strongest just as bloom starts, in the morning after the dew dries | Waiting until the plant is spent and the leaf flavor has dropped |
| How much | Clip young leaves or stems, and leave enough foliage for the plant to reshoot; do not take more than about half | Stripping the mound to bare wood |
| Store | Use fresh, refrigerate about a week, or air-dry out of sun | Leaving cut stems in the sun or a damp pile |
You can pick leaves through the growing season, but the minty-lemon flavor is strongest just as the flowers open. Cut in the morning after the dew has dried. [1] Clip leaves at the petiole, or take stems and leave enough leaf on the plant so it can push new shoots. Do not take more than about half of the mound at once. [2] Harvest in the early morning; you can take up to half of a vigorous mound. [3] lesser calamint is the kitchen harvest. Montrose White calamint uses the same morning cut. After-bloom shear to tidy the bed is on How to Grow Calamint.
When do I harvest calamint?
Clip leaves in the morning, just as bloom starts, from late spring through fall. That is when the flavor is strongest.
How to harvest and dry calamint
Clip a handful of leaves or stems, leave enough growth on the plant, and dry the rest out of direct sun.
- Pick in the morning after the dew dries, once the plant is in active growth. Flavor is best as the first flowers open.
- Use clean shears. Clip young leaves at the petiole, or cut stems and leave at least several inches of growth on the plant.
- Stop when you have taken about half of the mound so the plant can reshoot.
- Use the leaves fresh, or wrap them in a slightly damp towel and refrigerate about a week. Wait to rinse until you cook.
- To dry, lay stems on a rack in a warm, dry place out of sun, or hang a small loose bunch. When the leaves crumble, strip them and store them in a jar. A sprig in hot water makes a minty tea. [4]
How do I dry calamint?
Lay the stems on a rack, or hang a small bunch, in a warm dry place out of sun. When the leaves crumble, jar them.
If the plant is already in full bloom, cut now anyway — waiting longer only weakens the next flush of leaf.
FAQ
Can I use the flowers?
Yes. The flowers are edible and milder than the leaves. For the strongest leaf flavor, cut as bloom starts.
Can I make tea?
Yes. Steep a rinsed sprig in hot water for a few minutes. The scent is a mix of mint and oregano.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Gardener's Path -
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/herbs/grow-calamint/ - [2] Epic Gardening -
https://www.epicgardening.com/calamint/ - [3] Plantura -
https://plantura.garden/uk/flowers-perennials/calamintha/calamintha-overview - [4] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/clinopodium-nepeta/
This note is part of Calamintha Guides.
More harvest timing notes by plant live in Harvesting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors