Mint 'Peppermint'

Scientific Name: Mentha × piperita

Common Name: Peppermint

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Height: 30–90 cm (12–35 inches)

Width: Approximately 60–90 cm (24–36 inches)

Spacing: 45–60 cm (18–24 inches)

Attracts: Bees and other pollinators

Flavour: Strong, cooling mint flavor with high menthol content

Use: Culinary applications, herbal teas, essential oil extraction, medicinal purposes

Plant Habit: Perennial herb with a spreading, vigorous growth habit

Harvest: Leaves and stems can be harvested just before flowering; best used fresh or dried for later use

Companion Plants: Cabbage, tomatoes, and peas

General Information: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a sterile hybrid between watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata), first discovered in England in 1696. This aromatic herb is widely cultivated for its high menthol content, which imparts a strong, cooling flavor. Peppermint thrives in moist, well-drained soils and can become invasive due to its vigorous growth and spreading rhizomes; therefore, container planting or root barriers are recommended to control its spread. The plant is utilized in various culinary dishes, herbal teas, and is a significant source of essential oils used in aromatherapy and medicinal products. Its leaves and stems are typically harvested just before flowering to maximize oil content and flavor.