Garden herbs

Herb: Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)

Background: First recorded by John Ray an English naturalist in 1696. Peppermint contains menthol which has long been used to treat sprains etc and to flavour peppermint sweets.

Garden herb type: Perennial.

Growing this herb: This herb grows easily from seed.

Soil condition and garden position: Peppermint grows very quickly from runners and spreads rapidly. It needs to be kept under control, some people grow it in an old bottomless bucket sunk into the soil. It can also be pot grown provided it is kept well watered.

Appearance: It grows to a height of 60cm with red stems and pinky/lilac flowers. its leaves are dark green.

Uses: Peppermint is used for flavouring sweets and in rubs for strains and sprains. A refreshing tea can be made from the leaves and a finely chopped leaf added to hot chocolate makes an interesting change.

Nurturing herbs is an important part of gardening. Gardening Tools Direct have endeavored to group this information together for your interest. Please also see our garden related products.