Peppermint 'Black Mitcham' Mentha × piperita 'Black Mitcham'

Water

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita 'Black Mitcham') prefers consistent moisture and should not be allowed to dry out completely. Water this plant once or twice a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each time. During hot and dry periods, watering frequency may increase to every 2 to 3 days. If you're potting peppermint indoors, ensure the top inch of soil feels dry before watering again. Be cautious not to overwater, as peppermint does not tolerate soggy conditions well; providing adequate drainage is key.

Light

Peppermint thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant is where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight daily, but it can also perform well in areas with some afternoon shade. Avoid placing peppermint in full, deep shade, as this will result in poor growth and less flavorful leaves.

Temperature

Peppermint plants prefer a temperate climate and can survive in temperatures between 50°F and 90°F. The ideal growth temperature for peppermint is between 65°F and 75°F. It can tolerate light frost but should be protected or harvested before a hard freeze, which occurs at temperatures below 32°F.

Pruning

Pruning peppermint encourages the growth of new, flavorful leaves and helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Trim back the stem tips periodically during the growing season, especially after the plant flowers, to promote bushier growth. The best time for pruning is in the late spring or early summer, but light pruning can be done as needed throughout the growing season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Peppermint prefers a rich, moist, and well-draining soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A suitable mix can be made by combining loam, compost, and perlite in equal parts to ensure good aeration and moisture retention.

Repotting

Peppermint should be repotted every two to three years to rejuvenate the soil and accommodate root growth. It's best done in the spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth.

Humidity & Misting

Peppermint thrives best in environments with medium to high humidity levels. However, it is quite adaptable and can tolerate lower humidity without significant adverse effects.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in a bright spot and water regularly.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade and keep soil moist.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Peppermint 'Black Mitcham' starts with seed germination, typically in the spring when soil temperatures are suitable for growth. Following germination, the plant enters its vegetative stage, where it develops a rosette of leaves around a central stem, and as it matures, it forms a robust root system and foliage. During early summer, the plant may produce flowering spikes if its growth conditions are favorable, which is followed by pollination, often facilitated by insects. After pollination, seeds develop which can then be dispersed to give rise to new plants, although 'Black Mitcham' is usually propagated vegetatively by cutting or division due to its hybrid nature. In the fall, the plant's above-ground growth dies back with the onset of cooler temperatures. The perennial nature of peppermint means that it will emerge again from its root system the following spring, continuing its life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Mentha × piperita 'Black Mitcham', commonly known as Black Peppermint, is widely propagated through vegetative means, particularly by taking cuttings. The ideal time to propagate is in the spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate Black Peppermint using cuttings, one would typically cut a 3 to 6 inch (approximately 7.5 to 15 cm) stem section from a healthy parent plant, making sure it contains several leaf nodes. The bottom leaves are removed, and the cutting is placed either directly into moist soil or into a glass of water to encourage root growth. When roots develop, usually within a few weeks, the cutting can be planted in a pot or in the garden. It is important to keep the soil consistently moist until the new plant is well established. This method is favored for its simplicity and high success rate, making it the most popular method of propagation for Black Peppermint.