This marvelous herb can be enjoyed for its refreshing fragrance and taste with little effort.
Wait until the final frost has passed.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Plant peppermint at a depth of 1/4 inch.
Space it about 24 inches apart from other plants if not planted in a container.
If planting several peppermint plants in rows, allow for 18 to 24 inches between rows.
Warning
Before planting peppermint, be aware of itsinvasive nature.
If planted in the ground, consider installing soil barriers.
Light
Peppermint can grow infull sun or partial shade.
It can even tolerate some dappled shade, unlike most herbs.
But be careful not to overdo it.
Peppermint, like most mints, cannot tolerate standing water or soaking soil.
Having soggy roots is a surefire way to kill or harm your plant.
Fertilizer
Avoid fertilizing most herbs, especially plants in the genusMentha.
The flavor of herbs relies on the oils in their flowers and leaves.
it’s possible for you to often see this difference in the taste of homegrown compared to store-bought herbs.
As ahybrid of spearmint and water mint, peppermint is a blend of two of these varieties.
It has the strongest flavor and aroma and the highest concentration of menthol when compared to other mint varieties.
The stems will replenish and you will have more to harvest as the season goes.
Provide your plant with good drainage while also maintaining a moist environment with proper mulching.
Potted mint tends to become leggy usually due to a lack of sun or too much fertilizer.
Pruning
Left unpruned, the peppermint plant can grow too aggressively, even in containers.
The best place to trim is just above a leaf node.
Keep in mind not to trim back more than a third of the plant.
This could cause stress.
Once your mint plant is mature, a weekly trimming to keep it neat and productive should be sufficient.
Propagating Peppermint
Mint might be one of the easiest plants topropagate from cuttings.
Severe frost may damage the plant, although it is hardy enough to regenerate in spring.
Leaves will curl, twist and yellow as the fungus takes hold.
To prevent this, avoid letting your peppermint get too thirsty.
Peppermint stressed for water has higher levels of amino acids, which spider mites crave.
Use overhead watering to wash the mites off and increase humidity in the plant’s immediate environment.
Peppermint is a perennial plant.
It will come back year after year if under the proper care.
Prune to just above the ground in the fall and provide a fresh layer of mulch annually.
This will ensure new leaves come springtime.
If you transplant a started plant, it will be ready to harvest as quickly as three weeks later.
If growing from seed, it will still mature relatively quickly, in about 90 days.
Peppermint is not the same as spearmint (Mentha spicata).
Plant Science at the Dinner Table: Peppermint.
Michigan State University Extension.
Plant Science at the Dinner Table.
Michigan State University Extension.
Verticillium Wilt of Mint.
University of Illinois Extension.
Pest Management for Herb Bedding Plants Grown in the Greenhouse.
College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management.
