herb cross pollination

Question

I have chocolate mint and spearmint growing, one in the front yard and one in the backyard. I have heard that mint hybridizes easily. I was wondering if I took a cotton swab and cross pollinated the flowers, would they be like a mix between the two? It would only affect the seeds though right, not the original plants. I would collect the seeds. I also am growing basil, oregano, and sage. Would any of those cross?

Answer 1

Yes, you can do this and they would be a mix. And yes, it would only affect the seeds. Certainly worth it to try.

Basil will cross with other basils and oregano with oregano and sage with sages but not with each other.