Mint might be one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings. Peppermint has a strong sweetish odor and a warm pungent taste with a cooling aftertaste. Keep in mind not to trim back more than a third of th. The herb is easy to grow in the garden and on the balcony and is therefore cultivated worldwide. Left unpruned, the peppermint plant can grow too aggressively, even in containers. · peppermint has played an important role as a seasoning herb, tea and medicinal plant since its discovery in england in the 17th century. Space it about 24 inches apart from other plants if not planted in a container. Peppermint can be planted in the early spring months. Mint is the general name for all types of plant belonging to the genus mentha, while peppermint is just one type, along with spearmint, orange mint, and about two dozen others. Because mint has the habit of spreading everywhere, growing peppermint in a pot is a wise choice. You can also plant in a bottom less bucket and sink it down into the ground. The leaves are typically used fresh as a culinary herb, and the flowers are dried and used to flavor candy, desserts, beverages, salads, and other foods. It is cooling to taste but has a stimulating and warming aftertaste. Although you can grow peppermint in your garden, many choose to grow in containers due to its invasiveness and the need to restrict its roots. The ideal time to harvest peppermint is towards the middle of the growing season, just before flowers appear, but really, any time after the plant reaches 4 inches in height is ok. This will make it look like its growing from the ground but will aid in keeping the growth manageable. Harvest it in the morning for the highest concentration of the oil resulting in more intensity of the aroma and flavor. Wait until the final frost has passed. Depending on your region, peppermint can be afflicted with diseases such as verticillium wilt. the infection will manifest in the leaves at the top of the plant and spread downward. Potted mint tends to become leggy usually due to a lack of. It has the strongest flavor and aroma and the highest concentration of menthol when. Selecting a planting site Choose a large pot with adequate draining holesthat will accommodate vigorous root growth. Leaves will curl, twist and yellow as the fungus takes hold. Spacing, depth, and support The rhizomes are wide-spreading and fleshy, and bear fibrous roots. Severe frost may damage the plant, although it is hardy enough to regenerate in spring. If growing indoors, you dont need to change a thing as you will have a growth cycle that goes year-round. If planting several peppermint plants in rows, allow for 18 to 24 inches between rows. Young leaves will be more flavorful than old faded leaves, so pruning these off will promote the emergence of new ones quickly and direct the plants energy there. As a hybrid of spearmint and water mint, peppermint is a blend of two of these varieties. Peppermint (mentha × piperita) s a highly valued aromatic perennial herb in the mint family, lamiaceae. Use sterile scissors or snips to cut a stem section four inches in length just below a leaf node. · mint is a great herb to start with for a beginning herb gardener. Plant peppermint at a depth of 1/4 inch. Watch for root formation, which. The best place to trim is just above a leaf node. Provide your plant with good drainage while also maintaining a moist environment with proper mulching. Peppermint is a herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant that grows to be 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall, with smooth stems, square in cross section. Remove the leaves below the node and submerse the cutting in distilled water and place it in a location bright light and good air circulation. Peppermint has a very high menthol content (50-75%), along with flavonoids, acetic acid, tannins, resin, gum and triterpenes. It is very easy to grow and has very little pest and disease issues. Renowned for its refreshing scent and cooling sensation, peppermint has been used extensively in herbal medicine, culinary applications, and as a fragrance in cosmetics. The best way to treat the plant is to replace as much of the soil as possible to eliminate the pathogen. The leaves can be 4–9 cm (1. 6–3. 5 in) long and 1. 5–4 cm (0. 59–1. 57 in) broad. Peppermint is traditionally used as a remedy for fever, chills, flu and indigestion. If your mint is growing in an outdoor garden, it may be wise to bring it indoors for the winter if able. For more detailed information download our peppermint herb profile. Cut stems back to about an inch above the soil or. See full list on thespruce. com
