Mentha × piperita is a popular, fast-growing hybrid herb known for its intense aroma and flavor due to its high menthol content. This fragrant plant is a cross between water mint and spearmint. Peppermint is widely used to flavor teas, confections, and culinary dishes, and is valued for its traditional uses. Selecting the right variety and choosing the appropriate place to purchase and plant it are important first steps for any home gardener.
Selecting the Best Peppermint Variety
True peppermint, Mentha × piperita, has dark green leaves and often purplish square stems, offering a sharp, cooling menthol flavor ideal for medicinal teas and strong flavorings. Gardeners frequently encounter other mints marketed alongside it, such as spearmint or chocolate mint. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) has a milder, sweeter flavor with lower menthol levels, making it better suited for savory dishes like lamb or mojitos.
Other popular varieties include Chocolate Mint, which offers a hint of citrus or cocoa-like aroma, and Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens), which has fuzzy, rounded leaves and a mild, fruity scent. Choosing the right variety depends on the intended use, with true peppermint selected for its potency. Most home growers should seek established starter plants or rooted cuttings rather than seeds, as hybrid mints often do not produce viable seeds. Established plants also guarantee the desired flavor profile and provide a quicker harvest.
Finding Local Retailers and Nurseries
Local purchasing allows for immediate plant inspection and minimal transit stress, ensuring the healthiest start for your herb. Large chain stores and home improvement centers offer convenience and lower prices, but plants there may be stressed, overwatered, or exposed to pests due to high volume and less specialized care. Dedicated local garden centers and nurseries are preferable, as they offer regional expertise and higher-quality, well-maintained stock.
When inspecting a peppermint plant, look for deep green, uniformly colored foliage and sturdy stems, avoiding any that appear leggy or pale. Always check the undersides of the leaves for pests like aphids or spider mites, which can leave a sticky residue or fine webbing. Gently inspect the roots by tilting the pot; roots should not be tightly circling the bottom, a condition known as being root-bound, as this signifies stress and hinders future growth.
Specialized Online and Mail-Order Options
Buying online provides access to specialty herb nurseries and a wider selection of unique or rare peppermint cultivars not available locally. Plants may be shipped as potted, actively growing specimens or as bare roots, which are dormant plants shipped without soil. Bare root plants are lighter and less expensive to ship, reducing costs and the risk of soil-borne diseases.
Potted plants are heavier and more costly to ship, but they suffer less initial transplant shock and provide a more immediate visual impact upon arrival. Check the vendor’s reviews for comments on packaging quality and shipping times, as plants in transit for more than a few days may show signs of stress like yellowing or shedding leaves. If ordering bare roots, plant them immediately upon arrival. Potted plants should be given a few weeks to acclimate before any major repotting.
Essential Care Immediately After Purchase
The most important step after acquiring a peppermint plant is ensuring its roots are contained to prevent invasive spread. Peppermint uses aggressive underground runners, or rhizomes, to spread rapidly, and uncontained planting can quickly overrun a flowerbed or lawn. Container growing is the most effective solution, using a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep, or by sinking a bottomless bucket into the ground to create a physical barrier.
Immediately upon bringing the plant home, water it thoroughly, as mint prefers consistently moist soil and often dries out during transport. Place the plant in a location with bright, indirect light for the first few days to allow it to recover from shock. Gradually introduce the plant to its final location, which should receive at least four to six hours of morning sun. This sun exposure encourages the development of flavorful essential oils. Wait a few weeks before repotting or fertilizing to allow the plant to stabilize in its new environment.