<p>This study compares agronomic traits and bioactive compound profiles of five <i>Mentha</i> species grown under soil-based and hydroponic systems. Variations in growth, yield and biochemical composition were assessed to determine the influence of cultivation methods on plant performance and essential oil potential.&#xa0;The present study assessed five <i>Mentha</i> species, <i>M. arvensis</i> (G1), <i>M. longifolia</i> (G2), <i>M. spicata</i> (G3), <i>M. royleana</i> (G4) <i>and M. x. piperita</i> (G5) under two production systems, soil-based and hydroponics. The trials were conducted for two consecutive years (2022-23) to evaluate the agronomic and biochemical performance of these species in different growing seasons.&#xa0;The results revealed that <i>M. royleana</i> performed better in agronomic traits stem thickness, leaf area, internode distance, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll index, oil content, fresh and dry biomass weight, as compared to other species when grown under hydroponic conditions for two consecutive years. Whereas biochemical characteristics, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were increased in soil-based media.&#xa0;This study concludes that hydroponics is more effective in improving growth-related traits, while soil cultivation is preferable for improving biochemical qualities.</p>