Plants That Look Like Mint

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably seen a plant and thought, “That looks like mint.” Many plants that look like mint can fool even experienced eyes. It’s a common mix-up, but knowing the difference is important. Some look-alikes are harmless, while others can be invasive or even toxic. This guide will help you identify those visual doppelgängers and understand what you’re really growing.

Mint has a distinctive look that many plants mimic. They share features like square stems, opposite leaves, and sometimes a similar scent. However, the devil is in the details. Let’s break down the key characteristics of true mint first, so you have a solid basis for comparison.

What Real Mint Looks Like

True mints belong to the genus Mentha. They have a few telltale signs that are easy to check.

Square Stems: This is the biggest clue. Roll the stem between your fingers. If it’s distinctly square, it’s likely in the mint family (Lamiaceae).
Opposite Leaves: Leaves grow in pairs directly opposite each other on the stem, not alternately.
Aromatic Scent: Crush a leaf. All true mints release a familiar, refreshing aroma, though the scent varies from peppermint to spearmint to chocolate mint.
Leaf Edges: Mint leaves are typically serrated, with toothed edges.
Growth Habit: Most mints are vigorous spreaders, often via underground runners called rhizomes.

Why Correct Identification Matters

Mistaking another plant for mint isn’t just a botanical error. It can have real consequences for your garden and your health.

Invasive Tendencies: Some look-alikes, like creeping Charlie, can be even more aggressive than mint, choking out other plants.
Toxicity: A few plants, such as pennyroyal (a type of mint) and ground ivy, can be harmful if ingested in quantity by people or pets.
Culinary Disappointment: Imagine making a mojito with lemon balm instead of mint. The flavor profile would be completely different.
Care Requirements: Different plants have different needs for sun, water, and soil. Treating a look-alike like mint might lead to its decline.

Common Mint Look-Alikes

Here are the plants most often confused with mint, grouped by how closely they resemble the real thing.

1. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

This is perhaps the most common imposter. It’s actually a close cousin in the same family.

Visual Similarities: Square stem, opposite, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges.
Key Differences: The leaves are a lighter, brighter green and more textured. When crushed, they emit a strong lemony scent, not a minty one. The growth is slightly less aggressive.
Is it safe? Yes! Lemon balm is a lovely culinary and medicinal herb, but it won’t taste like mint in your tea.

2. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Another mint family member, catnip is often mistaken for its relative.

Visual Similarities: Square stem, opposite leaves, toothed margins, and a spreading habit.
Key Differences: The leaves are more gray-green and covered in a fine, soft down. The scent is pungent and earthy, attractive to cats but not particularly minty to humans.
Is it safe? Perfectly safe for cats, and usable in herbal teas for people, though the flavor is unique.

3. Creeping Charlie / Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

This is a widespread lawn weed that shares the mint family traits.

Visual Similarities: Square stem, opposite, rounded/kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges.
Key Differences: It’s a low-growing, vining plant that roots at its nodes. The leaves are smaller and often have a purplish tinge underneath. The smell when crushed is mildly aromatic but unpleasant to many, described as musty or bitter.
Is it safe? It has historical medicinal use but is generally considered an invasive weed in gardens and lawns. It’s not recommended for consumption.

4. Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum)

A common winter annual weed, it pops up in early spring and can look suprisingly mint-like.

Visual Similarities: Very square stem, opposite leaves in pairs.
Key Differences: The top leaves are often tinted a purplish-red. The leaves are more triangular or heart-shaped and are softly hairy. It doesn’t spread by runners but grows in upright clumps. It lacks a minty fragrance.
Is it safe? It’s edible and nutritious, often used in wild salads, but it does not taste like mint.

5. Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata)

This culinary herb from Southeast Asia has a passing visual resemblance.

Visual Similarities: The leaf shape and growth pattern can seem mint-like at a quick glance.
Key Differences: It lacks a square stem—its stems are round. It has a distinctive dark marking on the leaves that looks like a chevron or “V.” The flavor is strongly citrusy and peppery, used in pho and salads.
Is it safe? Yes, it’s a popular and safe culinary herb.

6. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

This one you want to identify correctly before touching!

Visual Similarities: Opposite, serrated leaves that are roughly the right shape.
Key Differences: The stem is not square; it’s round and covered in stinging hairs. The leaves are also covered in these tiny, painful needles. It grows very tall and upright, unlike most mints.
Is it safe? Do not touch with bare skin. Once cooked or dried, it loses its sting and is a nutritious edible green, but it is not a mint substitute.

How to Positively Identify Your Plant

Follow this simple, step-by-step process when you’re unsure.

Step 1: The Stem Test

This is your first and most reliable check. Pick a low part of the stem and roll it gently between your thumb and forefinger. Can you feel four distinct sides? A square stem is the hallmark of the Lamiaceae family, which includes mint, basil, oregano, and the look-alikes lemon balm, catnip, and creeping Charlie. A round stem immediately rules out true mint.

Step 2: The Sniff Test

Carefully crush a single leaf between your clean fingers. Bring it close to your nose.

Does it smell strongly of peppermint, spearmint, or a familiar minty fragrance? You likely have a true mint.
Does it smell lemony? Think lemon balm or lemon verbena (which has alternate leaves).
Does it smell earthy, musty, or like nothing much? It’s probably a look-alike like dead nettle or creeping Charlie.

Step 3: The Leaf Inspection

Look closely at how the leaves are attached and their texture.

Arrangement: Are they directly opposite each other in pairs? Good sign. Are they staggered (alternate)? Not a mint family member.
Texture: Are they hairy or fuzzy? Most true mints have relatively smooth leaves. Catnip and dead nettle are hairy.
Venation: Mint leaves typically have a clear network of veins.

Step 4: The Growth Pattern Check

Observe the plant’s overall shape and how it spreads.

Is it sending out long, horizontal runners that root? Mint, creeping Charlie, and lemon balm do this.
Is it a single, upright clump? This could be a young mint or something like stinging nettle.
Is it a low-growing vine? Likely creeping Charlie or ground ivy.

Managing Mint and Its Look-Alikes in the Garden

Whether you have true mint or an imposter, controlling its spread is often the biggest challenge.

Containing True Mint

Mint is famously vigorous. Here’s how to keep it in check.

Container Gardening: The absolute best method. Grow mint in pots above ground or sunk into the soil with the rim protruding to prevent runners from escaping.
Root Barriers: If planting in a bed, sink a sturdy plastic or metal barrier at least 12 inches deep around the mint patch.
Regular Harvesting: Frequent picking or pruning keeps the plant bushy and less focused on spreading.
Isolation: Dedicate a separate, contained area for mint away from your main vegetable or herb beds.

Dealing with Invasive Look-Alikes

Plants like creeping Charlie require a different tactic.

Hand Pulling: For small patches, persistent hand-pulling, ensuring you get all the roots and runners, can work. It’s easiest after a rain when the soil is soft.
Smothering: Cover the area with several layers of cardboard or newspaper, then top with mulch. Leave it for a full growing season to starve the plants of light.
Targeted Herbicides: As a last resort for severe lawn invasions, use a selective herbicide labeled for broadleaf weeds. Always follow label instructions carefully.
Maintain Healthy Turf: A thick, healthy lawn is the best defense against creeping Charlie, as it struggles to compete in dense grass.

FAQs: Plants That Look Like Mint

What plant looks like mint but isn’t?

Many plants fit this description. The most common are lemon balm, catnip, creeping Charlie (ground ivy), and purple dead nettle. They all share the square stem and opposite leaves of the mint family but differ in scent, leaf texture, and flower.

How can you tell if a plant is mint?

Use the three-step check: 1) Feel for a square stem. 2) Crush a leaf and smell for the classic mint aroma. 3) Look for opposite, serrated leaves. If all three are present, it’s almost certainly a true mint (Mentha species).

Is there a poisonous plant that resembles mint?

While no common look-alike is extremely toxic, caution is advised. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a type of mint itself that can be poisonous in high doses. Always identify with 100% certainty before consuming any wild plant. Some toxic plants, like horehound (which is bitter) or young foxglove (which has alternate leaves), may briefly confuse beginners, but they don’t pass the full stem-sniff-leaf test.

Why does my mint plant not smell minty?

There are a few reasons. You might have a look-alike like lemon balm. Sometimes, poor growing conditions (not enough sun, poor soil) can weaken the scent. Or, it could be a specific cultivar with a milder fragrance. The sniff test is your best guide—true mint always has a minty scent.

Can you eat plants that look like mint?

Some are edible, but you must be certain of their identity first. Lemon balm and catnip are edible. Purple dead nettle and henbit are edible wild greens. Creeping Charlie has historical use but is not generally eaten today. Never eat a plant based solely on its visual resemblance to mint.

Creating a Foolproof Mint Garden

To avoid future confusion, here’s how to set up your garden for easy identification.

Label Everything: Use durable plant labels when you first plant herbs. Note the variety (e.g., “Peppermint,” “Lemon Balm”).
Group by Family: Plant all your Lamiaceae herbs (mint, basil, sage, thyme, oregano) in one section. This helps you remember they share the square stem trait.
Start with Transplants: Buying small plants from a reputable nursery gives you a known starting point. Growing from seed for many look-alikes is less common.
Keep a Reference Guide: Take photos of your plants at different stages and keep a simple garden journal noting their characteristics.

Confusion between plants that look like mint is a rite of passage for many gardeners. By learning to check the stem, trust your nose, and observe the finer details, you’ll quickly become an expert at telling them apart. This knowledge protects your garden from unwanted invaders and ensures you get the right flavor for your kitchen. Remember, when in doubt, the square stem and the minty scent are the two most reliable features of a true mint plant. With a little practice, you’ll spot the differences with just a glance.