water spearmint
Mentha cervina
Also Known As - Hart's pennyroyalCycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Hardiness Zone:
5
Flowers:
Showy, Purple Flowers In Summer
Sun:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil:
Well-drained
Fruits:
green Fruits In Autumn Ready In Summer
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Moderate
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) should be watered deeply and regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Water every 1-2 weeks when soil is dry down to about 1-2 inches deep; more during periods of increased heat/sun and/or low rainfall. Soil should never be soggy. Water at the base of the plant and apply enough water that it reaches the root system. Reduce watering in fall and winter when the plant is dormant.
sunlight
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a plant species that does best in full sunlight. It is best to give the peppermint plants at least 6 hours of full sunlight each day. This can generally be achieved by ensuring the plant receives sunlight at least from mid-morning through mid-afternoon. Too much shade and the peppermint plant will become lanky and leggy. While the plant can tolerate a bit of shade, it will not tolerate prolonged periods of shade. It will also be more susceptible to disease and pests in such conditions.
pruning
Peppermint should be pruned regularly to encourage healthy growth. Pruning should typically be done in late spring or early summer before the plant begins flowering. During pruning, remove any dead or damaged branches, stems, and leaves. Cut back any overly long branches or stems to shape the plant and to encourage new growth. Pruning peppermint too severely or too often may reduce the potential for flowering and may weaken the plant. Hence, it is important to prune only a little at a time.