Peppermint is a hybrid plant, a cross between watermint and spearmint, known for its refreshing, cool flavour and distinctive aroma. Scientifically named Mentha × piperita, peppermint has dark green leaves with reddish stems and small purple flowers that bloom in clusters. It’s widely used around the world in culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic applications. In the kitchen, peppermint flavour is popular in teas, desserts, and confections like candy canes and chewing gum. Medicinally, it’s known for its soothing properties—especially for digestive issues, headaches, and colds—often used as an essential oil or in herbal remedies. The menthol in peppermint provides a cooling sensation, making it a common ingredient in balms, lotions, and toothpaste. Peppermint thrives in moist, shady environments and is easy to grow, though it can spread rapidly if not contained. Its crisp, invigorating scent and versatile uses make it a staple in homes, gardens, and health products alike.

How To Grow

1. Choose Your Spot Peppermint loves partial shade to full sun, but too much direct sunlight can dry it out. It prefers moist, well-draining soil. Tip: Peppermint spreads fast—like a minty little invader—so consider growing it in a pot or raised bed to keep it contained.

2. Planting You can grow from cuttings, small plants, or seeds (cuttings are easiest). If planting in the ground, space plants about 18–24 inches apart. Plant in spring after the last frost, or indoors any time of year with good light.

3. Watering Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Peppermint doesn’t like to dry out, especially in hot weather.

4. Maintenance Prune regularly to keep it from becoming leggy. Harvest often by pinching off the tops—this encourages bushier growth. Remove any flowers that appear if you want to keep the flavour strong (flowers mean the plant is focusing on seeds, not leaves).

How/When To Harvesting

1. Wait for the Right Time You can start harvesting once your plant is 6–8 inches tall. For the best flavour, harvest just before it starts to flower—usually mid to late summer.

2. Harvest in the Morning Early morning is ideal, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. That’s when the oils (and flavour!) are strongest.

3. Snip Smart Use clean scissors or pruning shears. Cut the stems about 1–2 inches above the ground or just above a leaf node (where leaves grow out of the stem). This encourages regrowth. Only harvest about a third of the plant at a time to keep it healthy.

4. Use or Dry Use fresh leaves right away for tea, cooking, or garnishes. To dry: tie a few stems together and hang them upside down in a dry, dark, airy place—or lay leaves on a screen to air-dry.

5. Regrow and Repeat Peppermint grows fast, so you can usually harvest every few weeks during the growing season.