![]() ![]() It’s a very versatile plant and should be planted out into soil which has been enriched with a general multipurpose compost. Peppermint is fine in full shade, or with full sun, or anywhere in-between. Caring and nurturing your peppermint plants It also isn’t fussy when it comes to sunlight, so is a good plant for a tricky location where there’s a lot of shade or poorly drained soil. Peppermint is hardy and can withstand repeated frosts, so don’t worry about providing winter protection. Make sure that the soil is moisture retentive, enriching with Levington® Multi Purpose Compost if needed. It’s not difficult to dig out if it does spread, but better to prevent the problem, as by the time it has taken over, other plants may have suffered.Īs with other herbs grown for culinary use, keep them within easy reach of the kitchen door. The fleshy roots can grow very thickly and re-grow from short pieces, so don’t allow it to get out of control. Where to plant and place your peppermint plantsīecause peppermint grows from rampant roots, give careful thought to how you will restrict its growth. They can also be grown on a windowsill in a small pot, all year round. Peppermint plants are best planted out in the spring, ready to put on new growth which can be harvested throughout the summer and autumn. Replant the clumps in the container, backfill with soil, and water well until established. This will stop the roots from spreading, which they will do very quickly if allowed, crowding out other plants. Alternatively, cut away the bottom of a container, and place it into the soil, deep enough to keep the rim of the container above soil level, and part-fill with compost. Part-fill a freestanding container with Levington® Multi Purpose Compost. Simply remove the plant from the container, or dig up a clump from the border, and use a sharp spade to divide the clump into smaller sections. Peppermint can be quickly and easily propagated from a piece of another plant. However, peppermint is distinguished by its typically purple-brown stems, and leaves which are much thinner than those of spearmint.Īnd can you grow peppermint outdoors? Yes, of course. So, what’s the difference between spearmint and peppermint plants? Spearmint, also known as common mint and garden mint, is related to peppermint. Peppermint has a much stronger flavour than spearmint. What you’ll need to grow peppermint plants Peppermint leaves also make a wonderful tea, great for digestion. They can also be used to make flavoured ice cubes, by simply removing a few leaves from the stem, and immersing them in water in an ice cube tray – allow to freeze and then pop a cube or two into a glass of freshly poured lemonade. Of course, you can just add prunings to the compost heap, but it’s great to make use of the pungent foliage if you can! Don’t be shy when harvesting - cut stems to within 3cm (1") of the ground, ideally just above a pair of leaves.Īdd peppermint leaves to drinks, salads, peas and new potatoes. Peppermint will benefit from being cut frequently, so choose a cultivar which you think you will use a lot in the kitchen. Usual green leaves with a lighter pattern. Lots of different varieties, including basil, grapefruit, lemon and orange. The leaves and stems when rubbed between the fingers smell like a popular chocolate mint sweet. Very dark leaves with a purple tinge and a strong flavour. Mentha × piperita ‘Black peppermint’ plant.There are some stunning cultivars of peppermint to try: The delicate lilac-purple coloured flowers will appear throughout the summer months, and will teem with bees, butterflies, overflies and lacewings in the sun. Peppermint has distinctive smooth, square shaped stems, with dark green pointed leaves and dark leaf veins. It’s also a perennial plant, growing to about 90cm (36") tall. It’s grown worldwide but originates from Europe and the Middle East. Peppermint is a cross between two other species of mint - spearmint and watermint. ![]()
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