How to Take Care of Peppermint

Peppermint is a variety of the mint family. Here are a few other mint varieties similar to peppermint that you could try to grow:

1. Chocolate Mint

   The chocolate mint plant is so named because of the sweet chocolate-mint flavor given off by the leaves. It is the perfect topping for ice cream, as well as a delicious tea.

2. Spearmint

   While the spearmint plant looks very similar to the peppermint plant, it seems to have brighter leaves that are more pointed.

3. Pineapple Mint

   The white edges of the leaves of pineapple mint are very attractive and make a nice garnish. It can grow to between 2 and 3 feet tall.

4. Lavender Mint

   If you like the flavor (and smell) of the lavender plant, you may love lavender mint, which gives off a small hint of the aroma.

5. Apple mint

   The apple mint plant is also known as woolly mint due to its woolly stems. The plant is very popular but should always be planted in containers as it will otherwise spread very quickly.

6. Watermint

   Watermint is an aquatic mint that naturally grows near rivers and other waterways in northern Europe. If you have a backyard pond, this plant may attract butterflies to your garden.

• How Often Should YOu Water Your Peppermint

  Make sure that you do not overwater your peppermint plant. It needs only enough water so that its soil stays moist but doesn’t become soggy. Water thoroughly once every few days during hot weather, but cut back in the autumn. If you live where summer heat is common, consider using an automatic drip-irrigation system instead of hand-watering.

  A good way to know if your peppermint needs watering is to check the top inch of the soil. If it is dry, then water it, making sure that the water drains and doesn’t sit in the pot. 

• When to Fertilize Your Peppermint

  You shouldn’t fertilize your peppermint unless you notice signs of nutrient deficiency. A healthy plant has green leaves without yellow edges or brown spots. If you see some discoloration, try applying fertilizer again next year.

  If you choose to fertilize your peppermint, pick a complete, slow-release granular fertilizer which a balanced N-P-K ratio (such as 16-16-16). While you shouldn’t have to fertilize your plant the first year, you can give each a little fertilizer in the following years after the fear of frost has gone and the plant is ready to regrow.

• Best Soil for Your Peppermint

  The ideal soil for peppermint contains lots of organic matter and humus. It’s important to have adequate moisture but avoid wet conditions, so choose one that has good drainage. The pH level should range between 6-7.5.

• Optimum Temperature/Humidity for Your Pepppermint

  The ideal temperature for growing peppermint is 55°F-70° F. Keep in mind that mints are sensitive to frost and the plants will often die back during the winter. When temperatures drop below freezing, cut back on watering until warmer days return. During hot summers, make sure air conditioning units aren’t blowing across your plants.

  Keep your peppermint growing in a humid environment. Moisture levels above 60% help promote good health.

• How Much Light Does Peppermint Need?

  Peppermint grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. When growing the plant indoors, make sure that it is in a sunny, south-facing window (if you live in the northern hemisphere).

• Why do Your Peppermint Leaves Have Rust-Colored Spots?

  If your peppermint leaves have rust-colored spots, your plant may have a condition known as mint rust fungus. This is typically caused by overhead irrigation which will cause water to sit on your leaves. After a while, the fungal spores will germinate. To prevent this, water the soil directly and keep peppermint plants further apart to lower the humidity levels around each plant. Remove leaves and destroy them as soon as you spot them to prevent spreading.

• What Insects Can Affect Peppermint?

  While peppermint can attract beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs, it can also attract pests. Common pests that may plague your plant will include mealybugs, aphids, scale, spider mites, and slugs.

  

  Aphids

  Remove Aphids

  Aphids are generally found in groups or colonies on the undersides of new growth on a plant. While they will vary a bit in color (or whether or not they have wings), aphids are generally pear-shaped with little cornicles sticking out of the back of their abdomens. These soft-bodied insects seek out the sap of plants and will inject saliva into the foliage during the process which may alter the overall look of your plant.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Misshapen or yellowing leaves
  • Honeydew on leaves or stems
  • Sooty mold
  

  Mealybugs

  Remove Mealybugs

  With a length of only 1/8 inch, mealybugs are white, soft-bodied insects that enjoy feeding on the photosynthates (plant juices) of your houseplants. As their bodies have a powdery-white substance on their bodies, they are often described as “looking like snow” when you have a larger infestation on your leaves. They will coat the leaves with a sticky substance that is covered by greyish-white bumps that resemble mold. While it does take some work, you can remove mealybugs so long as the issue hasn’t become too overwhelming for the plant at the time of treatment.

  

  Typical Signs

  • White spots on leaves
  • Suffering plant
  

  Scale

  Remove Scale

  Scale are small insects that suck the sap out of your houseplant’s leaves or stems. Either round or oval in shape, they can come in a variety of colors but are most often brown. While all of them have shells, there are two main varieties, one of which has a harder shell (known as a hard shell) than the other (soft shell). These insects can be found anywhere on a plant and are very difficult to fully remove, though the soft shell scale is easier. You will need to remain very vigilant for a few weeks in order to save your plant.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Clusters of “bumps” on leaves
  • Honeysuckle on leaf
  • Black moldy soot on leaves
  • Sickly plant
  

  Slugs

  Remove Slugs

  While you typically won’t find slugs in your home, you may find them in your garden if you have planted your plants outdoors. Slugs will eat the entirety of a leaf if given enough time. They typically complete their work at night. Slugs are mollusks in the class Gastropoda that have a soft body and produce a great deal of slime. They enjoy moist environments. They can come in a few colors and sizes but are typically brown.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Silvery slime
  • Holes in leaves
  

  Spider Mites

  Remove Spider Mites

  Spider mites are tiny black arachnids (not typically seen by humans) that like warm environments. They have oval bodies and eight legs and are generally white, red, or brown (though they are difficult to see with the naked eye). Spider mites can easily travel on the wind through a window screen. If you have them, you’ll see fine webbing similar to spider silk underneath the leaves. Leaves will sometimes become spotted or change color. Spray them off with water, a homemade miticide, or use Neem oil to remove them. 

  

  Typical Signs

  • Tiny white or yellow spots on leaves
  • Webbing on plant
  • Bronze or yellow appearance on plant
• Is Peppermint an Invasive Species?

  Some people believe that peppermint has become an invasive weed because it spreads quickly by underground rhizomes. This plant also produces large numbers of small seeds which easily disperse through wind and animal activity. To keep it contained, it is best to plant your peppermint in a pot.

Peppermint is a perennial herb that can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Cuttings can be taken and propagated in soil to grow additional plants.

If you choose to grow peppermint from seeds, keep them moist until germination occurs (generally about 2 weeks). Once they sprout up, give them plenty of light so they grow quickly. You may want to cover them with plastic wrap if temperatures get too hot during this time. When transplanting, make sure there is enough space around each plant so that roots don’t touch other plants to give them room to grow and to help prevent disease.

How to Prune Peppermint

Peppermint needs little maintenance once established. However, you must remove any dead leaves before new growth appears. To do this, gently pull off all the old foliage by hand or use a pruning tool. Don’t prune too far back (about a third of the plant at most). Use or store the leaves you remove to take full advantage of peppermint’s benefits.

Best Container for Peppermint

Peppermint should be stored in a large enough pot to allow it to spread. One that is about 10 inches in diameter works well. Make sure there is plenty of drainage available. If you’re looking for a place to put your peppermint, consider using a hanging basket. These containers come in many shapes and sizes, making them easy to move indoors when needed. They also look great outdoors.

Some companion plants for peppermint include the following:

Plants that are similar to peppermint in one way or another will include the following:

• How Large Will Peppermint Grow?

  A healthy peppermint plant can grow up to three feet tall and spread to be about two feet wide, though most will top out to about 12 to 16 inches high.

• Is Peppermint Toxic or Bad for Pets?

  Used sparingly, peppermint is not toxic. It’s safe to use fresh leaves in teas, salads, soups, and sauces. The oil from crushed leaves should be used sparingly and is unsafe to use on pets.

• Where Can You Buy Peppermint Plants?

  You’ll find these herbs at most nurseries and home improvement stores. They come in various sizes and colors. Some varieties even produce fragrant flowers.

• Can You Grow Peppermint Indoors?

  You can grow them indoors year-round. Just remember to provide plenty of light and heat. And when winter arrives, bring out those pots and place them somewhere warm.

• Does Peppermint Have Health Benefits?

  The essential oils found within peppermint are known to have medicinal properties. These include antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, sedative, stimulant, tonic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive aid, emmenagogue, nervine, pain reliever, stomachache relief, spasmolytic, and vasodilator.