Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, peppermint is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing peppermint.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Peppermint Belong To?
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include lemon balm, thyme, and oregano.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Peppermint?
The minimum container depth recommended for peppermint is 4 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Peppermint?
Peppermint can be planted with almost anything, but some of peppermint's best companions are as follows:
- Marigold and calendula. When planted with either or both of these, peppermint forms an aromatic forcefield that repels many pests and attracts pollinators.
- Carrot and other Apiaceae (carrot) family members, as peppermint deters carrot fly
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and other Brassicas, as peppermint deters cabbage moth
- Tomato
- Tomatillo
- Eggplant
- Peppers such as bell pepper and jalapeño
- Beans such as green beans
- Pea
- Oregano
- Fennel
- Rose
- Blackberry
- Toothache plant
- Quinoa
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Peppermint?
Peppermint does not have any bad companions. It is compatible with nearly every plant.
But when deciding what to plant near it, keep in mind that peppermint has an invasive growing pattern. It sends out runners that can travel far from the parent plant and pop up in an unexpected area of the yard.
If you love mints like I do, you may not see a problem with this! But once established, peppermint also forms a "root mat," a sturdy network of intertwined roots. The root mat can choke out other plants or keep them from rooting deeply enough.
For these reasons, many people choose to grow peppermint exclusively in containers, not in the ground.
There are exceptions to this such as gardeners who commit to regularly pruning the runners and roots. Peppermint can also make a good addition to a true woodland garden, as it will have enough competition from other forest plants to remain under control.
What Soil Conditions Does Peppermint Need?
Peppermint prefers soil that is loose, rich, and moist yet well-draining.
How Long Does Peppermint Take to Germinate?
Peppermint takes 10-16 days to germinate at a temperature of 55-75°F.
How Much Sun Does Peppermint Need?
Peppermint can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Peppermint grown in full sun has a stronger flavor and higher potency than peppermint grown in part shade. This is because its flavor and potency are caused by its volatile oils, and volatile oil production is higher when the plant gets more sunlight.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and peppermint grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Peppermint Need?
Peppermint needs 1-2 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Peppermint?
Peppermint grows fastest in temperatures of 55-70°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
How Tall Does Peppermint Get?
The average height of peppermint is 1-3 feet.
It can also grow up to 2 feet wide.
Is Peppermint Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Peppermint is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
The average lifespan of peppermint is 5-10 years.
How Does Peppermint Reproduce?
Peppermint reproduces by seed, by runners, and by rhizome.
It can also be propagated by cutting.
Can Peppermint Be Ingested?
Peppermint leaves are edible.
Peppermint leaves have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and nervine properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tincture. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a peppermint leaf tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting peppermint leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of peppermint rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for peppermint here!
Peppermint is featured in these Plant to Plate articles:
- Simple Uses for Peppermint
- Growing Mints
- Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden
- What is a Plant Family?
- Gardening in Full Sun
- Gardening in Dappled Shade
- Gardening in Part Shade