What hardiness zones is Mentha × piperita suitable for?

Mentha × piperita is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Mentha × piperita?

Mentha × piperita requires Part Sun.

How much water does Mentha × piperita need?

Mentha × piperita has Medium water needs.

Herbs

Mentha piperita

Peppermint

Lamiaceae

Hybrid origin (M. aquatica × M. spicata); parents native to Europe

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width24-48 inches (60-120 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancehigh

Overview

Mentha x piperita is a vigorous, rhizomatous, spreading perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae) reaching 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall with a 24–48 inch (60–120 cm) spread, colonizing rapidly via underground stolons. Stems are square, erect to ascending, smooth, often reddish-purple — the purple stem coloration is a key distinction from M. spicata. Leaves are opposite, ovate to lance-shaped, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, dark green (sometimes with a reddish-purple tinge), toothed, smooth to sparsely hairy, with a strong menthol scent and a cooling, pungent flavor when crushed. The menthol content (40–50% of essential oil) produces the characteristic cooling sensation on the tongue — this distinguishes peppermint from spearmint, which contains carvone instead of menthol. Flowers are lavender to pink-purple, small, tubular, two-lipped, in dense terminal spikes 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long. A sterile hybrid (M. aquatica × M. spicata) that does not produce viable seed; propagated by division, stem cuttings, or stolon fragments. The aggressive stoloniferous spread is the primary management concern — container culture is recommended to prevent colonization of adjacent plantings.

Native Range

Mentha x piperita is a naturally occurring sterile hybrid between M. aquatica (water mint) and M. spicata (spearmint), first described from England in 1696 by John Ray. Both parent species are native to Europe. Widely naturalized in moist habitats across temperate North America.

Suggested Uses

Planted in herb gardens, balcony containers, kitchen windowsill gardens, and medicinal herb collections. Container culture is the standard recommendation for all Mentha species. Fresh leaves are used in teas, cocktails (mojitos substitute spearmint; peppermint is used in hot chocolate, candy), desserts, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Dried leaves are used in herbal tea blends. The menthol-versus-carvone scent comparison between peppermint and spearmint is a standard sensory identification exercise. The Willamette Valley peppermint oil industry is a Pacific Northwest agricultural case study.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Mentha spicata (spearmint) by the menthol cooling sensation (versus sweet, non-cooling carvone), the reddish-purple stems (versus green), and the smooth to sparsely hairy leaves (versus wrinkled, rugose). Distinguished from Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) by the minty (versus lemon) scent. The crush-and-taste test is definitive: a strong cooling sensation on the tongue confirms peppermint; a sweet, warm sensation without cooling confirms spearmint. The square stems and opposite leaves confirm Lamiaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

pink

Foliage Colors

green

purple

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Flowers from July through September. Dense terminal spikes bloom over 3–4 weeks. Pollinated by bees and butterflies. As a sterile hybrid, no viable seed is produced; all spread is vegetative via stolons. Cut back before flowering to maximize leaf essential oil content.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lavender to pink-purple

Foliage Description

Dark green, sometimes with reddish-purple tinge; ovate to lance-shaped, toothed, smooth to sparsely hairy; strong menthol scent

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsiltclay

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant divisions or rooted stolon cuttings in spring, spacing 18 inches (45 cm) apart. Container culture (3+ gallon) is strongly recommended to contain the aggressive stoloniferous spread. In ground plantings, install a root barrier to 12 inches (30 cm) depth or plant in a buried bottomless container. Consistent moisture produces the most vigorous growth and the strongest menthol content. Harvest stems before flowering for the highest essential oil concentration. Cut all stems to 2 inches (5 cm) above the crown after first flowering to stimulate fresh growth. In the Pacific Northwest, peppermint is the basis of a significant essential oil industry (Willamette Valley, Oregon).

Pruning

Cut all stems to 2 inches (5 cm) above the crown after first flowering (July) to stimulate a second flush of fresh, high-oil foliage. Cut to ground level in late fall or early spring. Harvest stems regularly throughout the growing season. Remove any stolons escaping the container or root barrier.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer

Maintenance Level

high

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Plant Spacing

18 inches