Mint
Peppermint
Peppermint: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Peppermint, Mentha × piperita, is a perennial aromatic plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It comes from a cross between water mint, Mentha aquatica, and spearmint, Mentha spicata. The × in its botanical name records that hybrid origin. A fresh, intense fragrance distinguishes it within the diverse group of mints, whose common names do not always precisely describe the plant involved.Upright, branching stems carry opposite green leaves that are elongated and toothed. The stems may show reddish or purple tones according to the individual plant. As in many members of the mint family, the stems have a square cross-section. The foliage provides most of the aromatic interest, with leaves releasing their characteristic scent when crushed. The cooling impression and strength of the fragrance nevertheless vary with selection and stage of development.The plant spreads through underground stems and can form a clump that gradually extends beyond its original position. This habit…
