Peppermint ranks high among the 600 species of mint as a remedy for indigestion, arthritis, sore throats, colds and headache.
The Peppermint Herb is a sterile hybrid produced when Watermint (Mentha aquatica) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata) are cross-pollinated. The resulting Peppermint Herb produces peppermint oil which contains menthol, the oil responsible for the valuable medicinal qualities of the herb.
The ancient Greeks used the peppermint herb in a variety of temple rites. They were convinced the herb would clear the voice, reanimate the spirit, cure a case of the hiccups and counteract the sting of a sea serpent!
The Peppermint Herb possesses square stems of a mint, wonderful fragrance and an aggressive tendency to take over your herb garden. Peppermint Herb (Mentha x piperita) grows three feet tall (90 cm), can spread very quickly.
USDA Gardening Zones: Hardy in Zones 5-9
If winter is severe in your area, mulch the plants with straw or pine needles.
Soil Type: Plant Peppermint in rich, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
Peppermint Plants should be planted one foot(30 cm) apart. The growing Peppermint herb will develop slowly, at first. Keep area weed free, water regularly. As they grow, keep the young peppermint plants trimmed back to promote bushy growth.
Fertilize yearly with well-aged manure.
Control Peppermint in your herb garden by planting the Peppermint in a 10 inch by 10 inch (minimum) pot and sink the pot in the garden to within an inch of the upper rim. Trim back runners as they appear.
Don't be taken in if you see Peppermint seeds for sale. Peppermint is a sterile hybrid and cannot produce seed. Peppermint must be propagated by cuttings or root division.
Root Division: Use a razor blade or sharp knife. Cut the peppermint runners into individual pieces containing both roots and shoots. Plant then in 2 inch-deep furrows and cover with soil. Keep the soil moist until the runners take root.
Stem Cuttings: Cut a 2 to 3 inch piece of the stem from below where a leaf emerges from the stem. Plant it in a pot filled with damp potting soil high in humus. Water the cuttings as the soil dries out. Move the peppermint cuttings to your herb garden after you see new growth and danger of frost is past.
Harvest the Peppermint plants when the Peppermint Oil content is at its peak, in mid-summer just before the herb is ready to flower. See our article on Drying Herbs for more specific details.
Harvest no more than 60% of the peppermint plants at any one harvest. Cut about 8 inches of the stems and rinse the cuttings in cold tap water to rid the herb of dirt and bugs. Blot dry with a paper towel and discard any dead leaves.
Air Drying Peppermint: Gather 4 to 6 stems and bind them together at the cut end. Hang them with the Peppermint Leaves down in a dry, well ventilated area, out of direct sunlight.
Drying Peppermint by Food Dehydrator: Prepare the stems and peppermint leaves as stated to the point of binding the stems together. After blotting the leaves dry, snip each leaf from the stem and lay it flat on the drier tray. Set the temperature to 90˚-95˚F.
With either method of drying Peppermint, continue until the peppermint leaves crumble to the touch. Leave each peppermint leaf whole and store out of direct sunlight in an air-tight, glass container.
Enjoy the many peppermint uses and the health benefits of peppermint for up to a year.