Mentha × piperita 'lime mint' has brownish-green leaves that smell like lime instead of mint. Many use it to garnish summer salads or drinks due to its fruity taste. Mentha × piperita 'variegata' or 'variegated peppermint' smells identical to peppermint, but it features creamy leaf edges.

It should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent scorching its leaves. Peppermint is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. As it happens, nearly all species within the mentha genus are toxic.

The oils that peppermint plants create are the real culprit. Peppermint oil can cause vomiting and diarrhea for these animals when ingested in large amounts, according to the ASPCA. If you suspect that your pet has ingested peppermint, you should immediately call your nearest veterinary hospital.

Interestingly, for humans, peppermint isn't toxic at all. In fact, it can be used in many meals, drinks, and desserts as well as for some possible health benefits. Peppermint tea has been scientifically proven to help with digestion, headaches, menstrual cramps, and stuffy noses, as explained by Healthline.

Peppermint tea is simple to make and could be a delicious start to your mornings. Alternatively, you can use the peppermint you harvest to compliment your favorite fish, or you could add it to your morning mocha. It's amazing how versatile this herb is!

When we grow peppermint, most of the time, it is grown in a container or a pot. Because of this and its ability to spread like crazy, the plant often needs repotting. Lucky for us, the process is fairly simple. Start by choosing your peppermint's new home.

This pot should be larger in diameter compared to the last and feature an adequate draining hole, according to The Spruce. When using new soil, added fertilizer may cause the plant to become leggy. To combat this, you can trim your peppermint regularly to force it into a bushy and compact shape.

When a peppermint plant becomes too large for its container, some choose to divide it instead of transplanting it to a bigger pot. This is beneficial to overgrown plants because it keeps them healthy.

If you are going to divide and repot your peppermint, plan to do it in the spring or summer, said Gardener's Path. To start, gently remove the entire plant from its pot. Gently tease excess soil from the roots to expose them. As you do this, the peppermint plant will likely split naturally.

If not, you can carefully cut it into two sections with sterile scissors. Make sure both pieces have healthy growth beneath them. Place your two sections into individual pots with well-draining soil. Now you are the proud owner of two repotted peppermint plants. Mentha x piperita or peppermint gets its name from Mintha in Latin.

Mintha was a Greek nymph who was turned into a mint plant after angering Persephone, According to Gardener's Path. Piper translates to the word pepper which describes the spicy taste and smell of peppermint's leaves.

For many years, the taste of peppermint leaves has been given to us through peppermint oil. This is made by distilling the plant and extracting its oils. Today, the oil from the peppermint plant is used to flavor several household items such as toothpaste, gum, mouthwash, and even some cosmetics.

In the U. Years ago, Michigan held the highest amount of peppermint production, but it couldn't compete with the climate of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Peppermint loves its moist environment that allows for up to 14 hours of direct sunlight in the summer. Aside from the fact that your peppermint plant might have taken over your garden, once you get it under control, you'll need to establish some precautions against pests and diseases.

To be effective and better understand this, you need to know what they're susceptible to. As far as disease goes, PlantVillage tells us that peppermint plants are pretty hardy and resist much. They seem particularly vulnerable, however, to a fungus known as mint rust.

It appears as small bumps on the bottom of the leaves, which can be bright orange, yellow or brown in color. Be sure to remove and isolate any plants or rhizomes you know or suspect have it, and heat-treat the roots for about 10 minutes in near-boiling water.

Then immerse the roots under cool running water for about five minutes. After that, you're ready to replant. Moving onto pests of the peppermint plant, we have a few common pests that we want to keep an eye on. It turns out that aphids, thrips, cutworms, and spider mites are all trying to consume the sweet, irresistible leaves of the peppermint plant.

Just your luck, right? The list of living things that feed on other living things is essentially endless, and garden growers everywhere fight the perpetual battle of bugs every year. If you see any signs of a lack of light, such as leggy growth or lack of leaves, give them a sunlight boost, or consider moving your containers outdoors.

Peppermint plants thrive in moist but not soggy soil. They appreciate a deep watering to satisfy the thirsty roots deep down in the soil, left to dry out afterward before their next watering.

You can generally water along with the rest of your garden but pay particular attention to your mint patch if temperatures are high. Continuous overwatering can lead to root rot, an issue that is unfortunately fatal if not resolved. Prevention is always better than trying to nursemaid unhappy plants!

Peppermint plants have vigorous root systems and like to stretch deep and wide. Always water slowly and deeply to encourage the roots to grow downwards and establish a strong foundation for the plant. This will also make them more drought-tolerant and able to withstand sudden temperature increases.

Keep in mind that well-draining soil is a key accomplice in this process. It ensures the water gets to the roots without the soil becoming overly damp or waterlogged. If you notice water pooling at the top around the base of the plant and not draining away, your soil structure needs to be improved.

For indoor peppermint plants, the watering routine is slightly different. Typically, indoor plants dry out slower than their outdoor counterparts, so you need to be cautious not to overwater.

Wait until the top layer of soil is dry before watering again. Use a pot with drainage holes to avoid stagnant water at the bottom that could cause root rot. Like many herbs, peppermint plants prefer a well-draining soil rich in organic matter.

They love loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH but can adapt to most soil conditions as long as they drain well. If your garden soil is heavy clay, you must amend it with compost and sand or perlite to boost drainage.

This will improve its texture and fertility, promoting healthier and stronger growth from your peppermint plants. Soil is the foundation of all other growth, so it should be top of mind before planting anything, including peppermint. When planting peppermint in pots to grow indoors or out, selecting a suitable potting soil is essential.

The size of your container also plays a role in how quickly the soil dries out. Smaller pots will require more frequent watering as they dry out faster, while larger pots retain moisture for longer.

Regardless of the pot size, ensure your container has enough drainage holes to remove excess water. Peppermint plants can handle varied temperatures, although they prefer moderate climates to extreme temperatures. They thrive most in cooler climates but can also tolerate some heat, growing in USDA Zones 3 and above.

Extreme heat can cause the plants to wilt or even burn, so ensure they have some shade during the hottest part of the day if you live in a warmer region.

They will also survive a light frost, but extended frosts or extreme cold will damage the leaves and stems. As for humidity, peppermint plants are not fussy. However, good air circulation is crucial to prevent moisture accumulation on the leaves and subsequent fungal growth if you live in a high-humidity region.

Beyond that, they will be happy almost anywhere. They are usually happy with high-quality soil and the occasional boost of compost. As per the package instructions, a simple application of a balanced fertilizer once a year is usually enough to stimulate plenty of leaf growth.

If your plants struggle or the leaves appear dull, a quick dose of low-concentration fertilizer may improve conditions. Regular harvesting or pruning is one of the most important maintenance practices both for the plants and your kitchen efforts.

It promotes bushier growth and helps keep the plant size under control. You can pinch back the tips of your peppermint plants or cut entire stems, depending on how much you need. Peppermint plants may need repotting every couple of years when grown in containers. Signs that your plant is root-bound and needs a bigger home include roots growing out of the drainage holes and stunted growth, along with disintegrated or poor-quality soil.

When repotting, prune the roots lightly before planting them in a new pot. Prune often and consider using barriers around your planting area to keep the peppermint plants from overtaking other plants. If they become a problem, move the plants from your garden bed and keep them in containers instead.

To keep your plants thriving year after year, provide them with some shelter in the winter if you live in a region with harsh winters. While peppermint can survive frosts, a layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

The best thing about growing peppermint is, of course, harvesting time. Plus, the more you harvest, the better your plant thrives — a true win-win.

You can begin harvesting around a month or so after planting. Avoid harvesting too early, as this may stunt the growth while the plant is trying to establish itself. To harvest, pinch or snip off leaves or stems as needed, using them immediately to retain their fresh flavor.

Harvest in the morning or evening when the plants are well-watered for the best possible taste. Near the end of the season, cut back any leggy growth to boost growth the next season.

Peppermint leaves are a fantastic addition to a variety of dishes. I often see them used in desserts and drinks, but my favorite use, by far, is in salads. You can plant it in nutrient-rich, peat-free soil and put the pots in a semi-shaded area of the patio or balcony.

For some varieties, it is a good idea to cover the soil with brushwood in winter, both in pots and in flower beds. As peppermint loves to spread and prefers moist soils, it is only somewhat suitable for herb spirals.

If you allow for an area with moister soil at the bottom of the spiral, you can put it there. When you plant peppermint in flower beds, it is highly recommended that you use a root barrier, otherwise it will spread uncontrollably. You should leave plenty of space to neighboring plants.

Tip: Plant the perennial in the flower bed together with a 15 to 20 liter plastic pot or bucket, from which the soil has first been removed. The edge should be 0. This will successfully prevent the runners from spreading uncontrollably and weaker neighbors from becoming overgrown.

Peppermint is extremely low maintenance. You should give the plant plenty of water on hot summer days, and protect the soil from drying out by mulching with a layer of bark humus.

Unlike most other kitchen herbs, peppermint enjoys being fed — it thoroughly appreciates a few handfuls of compost enriched with some horn shavings. You should rejuvenate the perennials by dividing them approximately every three to five years after flowering and also change location as they can leach the soil over time.

You can harvest mint leaves from spring. Their aroma is particularly intense in midsummer. If you need lots of leaves for drying, such as for peppermint tea in winter, you can cut the plant close to the ground in June.

After cutting mint, it quickly sprouts again and can be harvested again from late summer until the first frosts.

If you want fresh leaves for lemonade or a "Hugo", cut off fresh shoots throughout the entire season — ideally in the morning as soon as the dew has dried off, as this is when the essential oils content as at its highest.

You can dry peppermint by hanging the bunches upside down in partial shade. Freezing mint is also a good way to preserve the kitchen herb. The mint season ends in fall when the stems can be cut back close to the ground. True Peppermint has been an important medicinal plant for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic peppermint oil.

As early as the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important cures for all possible illnesses — besides respiratory infections, it was used for all types of digestive problems. This may also be the origin of mint sauce - still popular in England today - which is often served with heavy meat dishes.

In "Hortulus" from the 9th century, a horticultural reference book by the Benedictine monk and botanist Walahfrid Strabo, it says: "If anyone can name all the powers, species, and names of mint, they must also know how many fish are swimming in the Red Sea.

Due to its intense aroma, peppermint is often used to breed new hybrids and varieties of mint. There are now lemon mints Mentha x piperita var. Mentha x piperita var. All varieties of peppermint are very easy to vegetatively propagate almost all year round, either by division after flowering or from cuttings.

The cuttings also reliably form roots in a glass of water. However, propagating mint from seed is not recommended, as the seedlings vary greatly in terms of the intensity of their aroma. Peppermint is a very robust and resilient plant.

Leaf beetles are one of the most common pests, their larvae can devour entire perennials. Aphids also occasionally appear on peppermint.