Although they share the same Vietnamese name “bạc hà,” mint flowers found in the karst highlands and the mint leaves commonly used in everyday life do not come from the same type of plant.
The differences can be seen more clearly in the comparison table below:
Does mint flower come from the same plant as mint leaves?
2
Mint leaves
Mint flower
FEATURE
MINT LEAVES
MINT FLOWER
Color
The leaves are usually green
The flowers have a distinctive purple hue
Shape
Small flowers, usually growing in clusters
They grow symmetrically along the stem, with serrated edges, short stalks, and surfaces covered in fine, soft hairs.
Aroma
A subtle cooling sensation in the aftertaste
A strong, distinctive minty aroma with a refreshing, cooling scent
Habitat
High mountainous areas, particularly the Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang Province
Lowland, tropical, regularly irrigated
Growth
Being grown and cultivated
Growing naturally and unable to be cultivated
Blooming season
Year-round, depending on environmental conditions
Seasonal, usually around October and November each year
Uses
Commonly used as an herb, seasoning, garnish, or ingredient in various products
A source of nectar for honeybees to forage
COMPARISON TABLE: MINT LEAVES AND MINT FLOWERS