Peppermint Plant Facts

Identification

• Peppermint plants grow between 2 and 4 feet tall. Their four-sided stems vary in color from purple to deep green depending on the species. Mentha x piperita var. officinalis, or white peppermint, has narrow green stems and light green leaves, while Mentha x piperita var. piperita, or black peppermint, has purplish stems. The upper and lower surfaces of their approximately 2-inch-long leaves are smooth-textured, with sharply serrated margins. Tiny oil glands in the leaves release volatile oils, giving the plants a distinctive fragrance. These perennials produce dense clusters of small, light purple blossoms during the summer, but since peppermint plants are sterile, seeds rarely follow.

Uses

• People have used peppermint for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks added it to meat dishes and wine and utilized the leaves as a decoration for special occasions. Peppermint oil has antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. Herbalists prescribe peppermint tea as a remedy for chest congestion, stomach troubles and headaches and recommend peppermint skin lotion as a pain reliever. Peppermint oil enhances the fragrance of potpourri, cosmetics, shampoo, soaps and perfumes. Its leaves and oil add flavor to salads, desserts, teas, breath mints, chewing gum, toothpaste and sauces, among other culinary uses.

Garden Benefits and Liabilities

• These hybrid herbs are beneficial in gardens. They produce large amounts of nectar and their aroma attracts pollinating bees and butterflies; at the same time, their strong fragrance repels many other insect pests and rodents. The Plants for a Future Database recommends growing peppermint plants in containers. They propagate through underground stems called rhizomes and can spread rapidly and aggressively throughout garden spaces. Peppermint plants that are planted in the ground need to be trimmed regularly to keep them from becoming invasive.

Cultivation Requirements

• Peppermint plants are hardy in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 7. They can tolerate full sunlight or partial shade, but require consistently moist soil. They grow best in sandy, loose-textured soil with a pH range between 6 and 7.5, but can adapt to a variety of soil types and textures. You can harvest the mint leaves as soon as the plants begin to flower. Dry them for later use or use them straight from the plant depending on the recipe.