Peppermint is one of the most popular herbs in Germany. Here you can learn all about growing, caring for and harvesting the mint from the kitchen garden.
The refreshing aroma of peppermint has become an integral part of our everyday life - whether chewing gum, Hugo or peppermint tea, nothing works without mint! Peppermint is easy to grow yourself in the garden, it even multiplies by itself in the ideal location. With our tips, nothing stands in the way of your first harvest of your own peppermint!
Origin of Peppermint
Although evidence of the use of mint can be found as early as ancient Egypt, the now well-known peppermint (Mentha x piperita) appeared first appeared in England in the 17th century. Its origin and genesis are disputed, but it is believed to be a natural hybrid of a cross between brookmint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata ) was created. Compared to the mint species native to Europe, peppermint is characterized by its high menthol content and its refreshing, peppery aroma - one reason for its name and its unbroken popularity to this day.
Synonyms: English mint, tea mint, pepermint, field mint, brown sundial, spearmint
Growing peppermint in the garden
Peppermint thrives in humus-rich, nutrient-rich and moist soil. In order to meet these conditions in the home garden, it is advisable to mulch around the plants with leaves or lawn clippings, for example, to prevent the soil from drying out. A nutrient-rich, peat-free organic soil such as our Plantura organic universal soil is best used for planting. This is also ideal for growing in pots. It is often read that the plants need a lot of sun and warmth to form the essential oil. This is partly true, but peppermint still prefers a semi-shady location with protection from the strong midday sun.
Their shallow-growing root system forms numerous runners, so that a root barrier should be used when planting in smaller gardens to keep uncontrolled growth in check. In biggerGardens, on the other hand, can be given the appropriate freedom for the peppermint's urge to spread. Another effective way to tame rank growth is pot culture. This is also particularly suitable for partially shaded balconies and terraces. On the one hand, you can enjoy the sight and scent of the filigree flowers during the flowering period between June and September and, on the other hand, you are supplied with fresh mint leaves for tea, cocktails and salads throughout the summer.
Tip: Find out which other herbs are ideal for cocktails in our special article.
In the cold season, a light brushwood winter protection is recommended. For a detailed step-by-step guide to growing peppermint, click here.
Peppermint Varieties
The different varieties of peppermint not only differ in growth and appearance, but also bring a variety of scents and aromas to the bed. These include numerous traditional varieties that have been used in professional cultivation for over 100 years. In Germany, more specifically east of Munich, peppermint was cultivated commercially for the production of tea and essential oil until the 1970s. The overwhelming scent of the rolling peppermint fields has largely disappeared from the area today, but the variety that was so prized at the time has survived thanks to the conservation cultivation of the Eichenau Peppermint Museum and can now also be grown in your home hobby garden.
More information and an overview of the You can find the best peppermint varieties in our article.
Grow Peppermint
Because peppermint is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint, the plants are largely sterile. Instead of seeds, it is propagated by division, root suckers and cuttings. The urge to spread that many varieties show ensures that there is always enough plant material available for propagation. To do this, rooted runners are simply separated from the plant and planted separately, either directly outdoors or in a planter.
Fertilize and cut peppermint
Due to its origin, peppermint is adapted to the climatic conditions in Central Europe and is therefore particularly easy to care for - making it a perfect plant for beginners! She feels most comfortablePeppermint on humus-rich soil - light fertilization in spring, for example with compost or a primarily organic long-term fertilizer such as the Plantura organic universal fertilizer, is therefore exactly the right thing. Since the peppermint withdraws into the ground every winter to sprout again in the spring, no time-consuming pruning measures are necessary. However, peppermint also forgives a radical cut, for example for harvesting or in the event of pest infestation. A pruning close to the ground is only recommended in autumn, so that the plant can start fresh again next year.
Peppermint Harvesting and Storage
Scattered leaves and shoot tips can be picked all year round as needed. However, the main harvest time is shortly before flowering in July. So you can fall back on home-grown peppermint tea even in winter. Usually only the upper parts of the shoots of the plants are used. But it is also possible to cut the shoots close to the ground. The plant sprouts again shortly afterwards. The shoots can then be dried. Check out our feature article for more information and tips on drying mint.
Freezing peppermint leaves is a good alternative to drying. The peppermint leaves are cut into small pieces and frozen with a little water in an ice cube mold. The perfectly portioned "peppermint cubes" can then be used individually for a wide variety of dishes.
Ingredients and Uses of Peppermint
The main active ingredient in peppermint is the essential oil, but the medicinal herb also contains tannins, flavonoids and other secondary plant substances. Peppermint tea is the drink of choice, especially after a heavy holiday meal, as it stimulates fat digestion - certainly he althier than a schnapps! For example, while peppermint is an integral part of English cuisine, even in savory dishes - just think of the famous peppermint sauce with lamb - in Germany the herb is particularly popular in beverages such as teas, cocktails, soft drinks and smoothies.
Well-known examples are the Hugo or the Mojito. But when it comes to savory dishes, we should be more adventurous, as there are all sorts of promising flavor combinations that can be given the final kick with the refreshing mint aroma. Mediterranean dishes in particular often benefit from a little peppermint.
In oursSpecial article on harvesting and using peppermint, learn more about the topic.
Diseases and Pests of Peppermint
Peppermint plants can be attacked by both animal pests and fungal diseases. Although you can also use pesticides from specialist shops to combat pests, you should of course only use non-toxic home remedies for kitchen herbs in order to avoid pesticide residues on your own plate. Beneficial insects can be used in a targeted manner to combat animal pests such as aphids and flea beetles, which simply eat up the pests. Repeated spraying with soapy water also helps against aphids.
Peppermint plants can also be affected by powdery mildew, which can be identified by a white, wipeable coating on the upper surface of the leaves. Spraying with field horsetail extract, which can now be bought ready-made in specialist shops, is a good means of biological prevention and control. Affected parts of the plant should be removed immediately to prevent the fungus from spreading. A radical cut close to the ground can usually be used without hesitation, as the peppermint will then sprout again.
Peppermint rust is particularly feared. This fungus is conspicuous by its punctiform, rust-red spots on the underside of the leaf and yellowish spots on the upper side of the leaf. The affected plants are no longer suitable for harvesting, since the fungus slows down the formation of the essential oil, among other things. Affected plants should be cut back radically. They usually then sprout again free of infestation. Transplantation can help with particularly stubborn infestations or susceptible varieties. Too much shade and plants that are too close together can encourage a peppermint rust infestation.
Would you like to try growing herbs in the garden or on the balcony yourself? Our Plantura herb growing set contains everything you need for sowing herbs: growing pots, substrate, seeds, plant labels and a mini greenhouse.