Abstract: The invention provides a rapid in vitro method for selection of menthol rich mint genotypes from a large population of independent clones, said method comprising the steps of (i) raising a heterogeneous population of Mentha arvensis clones in vitro or by vegetative methods, (ii) transferring the plantlets/shoots to a basal medium, containing cytotoxic compounds in an amount sufficient to cause toxic effect in more than 95% of the clones, (iii) selecting surviving clones, their hardening in the glasshouse, transfer to field, reconfirmation of menthol tolerance through repeated in vitro assays, and (iv) multiplying selected clones and confirming genetic uniformity through RAPD analysis.