How to grow peppermint

Introduction

Origin of the name

This mint was first discovered and named by Carl Linnaeus while collecting samples in England; Linnaeus believed the plant to be a new species, but there is a consensus in the academic community that peppermint is a hybrid.

Morphological characteristics

Peppermint is a perennial herb with a fragrant, refreshing flavor. It has a creeping rhizome with nodes, each node having two opposite buds and bud scales. The stem is quadrangular, erect, pubescent on the upper part, and only slightly pubescent along the ridges on the lower part.

The leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate to elliptic, 8-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, with sharp apex, relatively flat leaf surface, bright green to dark green leaf color, sunken reticulate veins, deep and sharp serrations on the leaf margins, and petioles 1-2 cm long and covered with pubescence.

The cymes are axillary and the calyx is tubular and bell-shaped.

Farming methods

sowing

Well-drained sandy loam or deep loam is preferred. Sow the seeds evenly, cover them slightly with soil and keep them moist. They will germinate faster at a temperature of 20-25°C. After germination, expose the seedlings to light as soon as possible to prevent them from growing too tall.

illumination

Peppermint needs sufficient light to grow, especially after germination. Insufficient light will cause the branches and leaves to grow too long.

prune

Peppermint grows very quickly. When the seedlings reach a certain height, pinch and top them to promote branching. In addition, yellowing leaves should be removed promptly.