UK compost
What compost for banana mint in the UK?
Mentha arvensis 'Banana'
More about banana mint in the UK
Which compost banana mint needs
For banana mint the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost. A loamy potting mix with added compost suits it. Tolerates a wide pH but prefers slightly acidic to neutral ground; mulch helps retain the moisture mint craves.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows banana mint perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Banana Mint is straightforward: an ordinary peat-free multipurpose compost is right. For a big specimen or a pot it will live in for years, mixing in some loam-based John Innes No.2 or No.3 adds weight and holds nutrients longer. Ericaceous compost is not needed unless a plant is specifically a lime-hater.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the banana mint soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Banana Mint in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for banana mint in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost. A loamy potting mix with added compost suits it. Tolerates a wide pH but prefers slightly acidic to neutral ground; mulch helps retain the moisture mint craves. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for banana mint?
Yes. A good peat-free multipurpose compost is exactly right for banana mint. For a large or long-term pot you can mix in some John Innes No.2 or No.3 (loam-based) for extra weight and staying power.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow banana mint perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does banana mint need grit or perlite added?
Not essential, but a couple of handfuls of perlite in the mix improves aeration and guards against overwatering — useful on a cool, damp British windowsill where compost stays wet longer.
What pot and drainage does banana mint need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Rich, moisture-retentive, fertile soil. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More banana mint care
See the full banana mint care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.