Mentha piperita

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) — the bold, cooling, high-menthol mint for teas and infusions. Vigorous perennial best grown in a pot to keep it contained.
  • Peppermint Pelleted seeds (Mentha piperita) – perennial herb Peppermint Pelleted (Mentha piperita) – perennial herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peppermint Seeds Mentha Piperita Perennial Herb Pelleted
    €4,95

    Pelleted peppermint seeds for reliable herb sowing peppermint seeds are a classic choice for gardeners who want a fragrant, leafy perennial herb for beds, borders, and containers. This variety is offered as pelleted herb seeds,...
  • Peppermint seeds (Mentha piperita) – perennial herb Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – perennial herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peppermint Seeds Mentha Piperita Perennial Herb
    €4,95

    Peppermint seeds for classic mint flavour peppermint seeds are a popular choice for gardeners who want a fragrant, perennial mint herb for beds, borders, and containers. This variety forms fresh green foliage with a distinctive...
  • Peppermint Herbal Tea seeds (Mentha piperita) – perennial herb Peppermint Herbal Tea (Mentha piperita) – perennial herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    Peppermint Seeds Mentha Piperita Perennial Herb Herbal Tea
    €4,95

    Peppermint for classic mint herb gardens peppermint seeds are ideal for anyone who wants to grow a fragrant, perennial mint with bright green foliage and a fresh, distinctive aroma. This variety is known botanically as...
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Mentha piperita — peppermint

Mentha piperita, the bold and bracing peppermint, is the cooling, high-menthol mint behind refreshing teas, confectionery and that unmistakable clean fragrance. Intensely aromatic, it is the botanical heart of the peppermint side of our mint range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of watermint and spearmint, first formally recognised in England in the seventeenth century, though mints have been used since ancient times. It quickly became one of the most important commercial herbs in Europe and America, grown on a vast scale for its essential oil — the source of peppermint's flavour in everything from tea to toothpaste.

The species name piperita means “peppery,” a nod to the warm, biting intensity of its leaves — sharper and far more pungent than its gentler parent, spearmint.

Botanical characteristics

Peppermint is a vigorous perennial 30–90 cm tall, with dark green, often purple-tinged leaves and spikes of small mauve flowers that bees enjoy. Its leaves are rich in menthol, giving the powerful cooling sensation that sets peppermint apart from the milder culinary spearmint and makes it the classic choice for teas and infusions. Like all mints it spreads by runners, so it sits among our perennial herbs and is best grown in a pot with our container-friendly herbs.

Growing Mentha piperita from seed

Sow the fine seed on the surface in spring, pressing it in gently without covering, and keep it warm and lightly moist until seedlings appear. Peppermint thrives in sun or partial shade in moist soil, and grows with real vigour — contain it in a pot or sunken container to stop it spreading. Pick leaves regularly to encourage fresh, fragrant growth, and trim after flowering. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover timing and care in full.

Ready to grow peppermint? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Mint · Culinary Herbs · Perennial Herbs · Container Herbs · All Herb Seeds

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What is Mentha piperita?
It is the botanical name for peppermint, a naturally occurring hybrid of watermint and spearmint, prized for its cooling, high-menthol leaves. How is peppermint different from spearmint?
Peppermint is sharp, intense and rich in cooling menthol, making it ideal for teas, while spearmint is sweeter and milder and preferred for cooking. How do I grow peppermint from seed?
Sow the fine seed on the surface in spring, press it in gently without covering and keep it warm and lightly moist until seedlings appear. How do I keep peppermint under control?
Like all mints it spreads by runners, so grow it in a pot or a sunken container to stop it taking over the garden.