Peppermint

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Lamiales

Lamiaceae (Dead-nettle)

Annual Woundwort, Apple Mint, Balkan Clary, Basil Thyme, Bastard Balm, Betony, Bifid Hemp-nettle, Black Horehound, Breckland Thyme, Bugle, Catmint, Common Calamint, Common Hemp-nettle, Corn Mint, Corsican Mint, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Cut-leaved Germander, Cut-leaved Selfheal, Downy Woundwort, False Apple Mint, Field Woundwort, Garden Catmint, Garden Clary, Ginger Mint, Ground Ivy, Ground-pine, Gypsywort, Hedge Woundwort, Henbit Dead-nettle, Horse Mint, Lamb's-ear, Large Thyme, Large-flowered Hemp-nettle, Lemon Balm, Lesser Calamint, Lesser Skullcap, Limestone Woundwort, Marjoram, Marsh Woundwort, Meadow Clary, Northern Dead-nettle, Pennyroyal, Pyramidal Bugle, Red Dead-nettle, Red Hemp-nettle, Rosemary, Round-leaved Mint, Selfheal, Sharp-leaved Mint, Skullcap, Somerset Skullcap, Spearmint, Spotted Dead-nettle, Sticky Clary, Tall Mint, Variegated Yellow Archangel, Wall Germander, Water Germander, Water Mint, White Dead-nettle, White Horehound, Whorled Clary, Whorled Mint, Wild Basil, Wild Clary, Wild Thyme, Wood Calamint, Wood Sage, Yellow Archangel

Flower

Perennial

90 centimetres tall

Disturbed ground, ditches, gardens, meadows, roadsides, water, waterside.

Peppermint bears small, tubular, pale purple to pinkish-lilac flowers arranged in dense, terminal spikes that bloom from mid- to late summer (typically July to September). Each flower is about 4–6 mm long and has a two-lipped corolla with four stamens protruding slightly. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Fruit development is rare in Mentha × piperita due to its hybrid origin and frequent sterility. When it does occur, the fruit consists of tiny, brown, nutlet-like structures containing seeds. However, the plant primarily spreads vegetatively through vigorous creeping rhizomes rather than seed.

The dark green leaves are oval to lance-shaped, toothed, and arranged oppositely along square stems. They often have a slight purplish tint on the undersides or stems. Crushed leaves release a strong, cooling mint aroma due to high concentrations of menthol. Leaves typically measure 4–9 cm in length and are covered in fine glandular hairs.

The plant is powerfully aromatic, with a crisp, cool menthol scent that intensifies when leaves are crushed. This distinctive peppermint fragrance is used widely in essential oils, toiletries, and food products.

Common