The growing and caring for peppermint plant

The origin of peppermint plant can be traced from Northern Europe and England. This particular plant is a hybrid mint, that is a cross between watermint and spearmint. Peppermint plant can grow to about 1-3 feet tall. On like any other mints, this particular plant (Peppermint) can quickly overtake a garden. This particular plant have ovate, smooth leaves on the stalks which often longer than that of mint (mentha viridis). This particular plant does not actually produce seed and the plants are created by divisions and cuttings. This particular plant actually prefer wet, even swampy soil but it also do well in a moist loam soil. Anytime you are purchasing a peppermint plant, make sure you crush the leaf in your fingers to ensure that you are truly buying peppermint and not a less aromatic cousin.

The cultivation of Peppermint plant

Peppermint plant is an edible plant.
Sprouts in: one to three weeks.
Plant duration: four to twelve weeks.
The temperature range: 18 °C–30 °C
One thing about this plant is that is a bit slow at the beginning but once it gets going it will quickly grow a lot of stems. Peppermint plant will be ready for harvest in one month time. Try and make sure that your Peppermint does not reach the lamp! Although the stems that have reached the lamp may get burnt and turn brown.
By peradventure if some of the lower leaves has aged and turn brown, just feel free to cut the stem off, a new stems will grow soon.

How to harvest peppermint leaves

Like i said the peppermint will be ready for harvest in a month time, all you need to do is to snip the leaves. If you actually want to harvest large amounts, cut the plants at their base before blooming starts. Peppermint plant can be use for many things from dessert, to tea, to soup, to meat marinade, and more.