Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) – Hardy Perennial Herb (Set of 3 or 6)

Peppermint forms dense mats of glossy, dark green serrated leaves on purplish stems, with a sharp menthol scent when crushed.

It is the mint to grow for tea, for sauces and for infusing, stronger and cooler on the tongue than a spearmint. Slender flower spikes rise above the leaves in mid to late summer, though the plant is grown for its foliage and picking can start in mid-spring. It reaches around 60cm tall and 90cm across.

Peppermint is naturally hardy and very easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, asking for little more than regular watering. Mint runs hard through underground roots and will take over a bed, so grow it in a deep pot, sink that pot into the ground, or give it a corner where it can spread without bothering anything else. Cut it back after flowering to bring on fresh leafy growth, and divide the clump every two or three years to keep it vigorous. It sits well next to sage, lavender, thyme and oregano in a herb bed.

Supplied as three or six large plants in 1 litre root balls, grown in peat-free compost.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Peppermint
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 60cm tall by 90cm across, spreading
• Growth Habit: Mat forming perennial that spreads by runners
• Perfect For: Herb gardens, kitchen plots, borders and pots
• Foliage: Glossy, serrated, deep green on purplish stems, strongly aromatic
• Flowering Time: Mid to late summer
• Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade. Takes moist ground and is best grown in a container
• Soil Type: Moist but well drained
• Hardiness: Fully hardy. The top growth dies away in winter and returns each spring
• Maintenance: Low. Harvest often, cut back after flowering, divide every two or three years and keep the roots contained
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer and autumn
• Type: Grow your own