The flowers are wonderfully attractive to bees. The blossoms are either carried on terminal spikes or as small blossom-clusters along the stem at the juncture with the leaves. To keep variegation of leaves, avoid direct sun and don't let the plants flower. Cut it back to encourage fresh, and freshly variegated, leaves. As with many herbs, you have to harvest mint whether or not you use it.
Clipping keeps the plant healthy.
To harvest, cut stems before the plant flowers and hang them in small bunches upside down to air-dry for a few days, or spread the bunches on screens under a roof. Strip the leaves from the stems when dry. Crisp in a very low-heat oven if necessary. P.O. Box 740031, Louisville, Ky. 40201-7431. Questions also can be answered by your county agricultural extension service.