White Peppermint
Latin Name: Mentha x piperita officinalis
USDA Hardiness: 3-7
Native Range: The hybrid formula is M. aquatica × M. spicata. Altay, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kirgizstan, Lebanon-Syria, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Sicilia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Yugoslavia.
Edibility Rating: 3 / 5
Medicinal Rating: 5 / 5
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Medicinal Uses
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves | Edible Uses: Condiment TeaLeaves - raw or cooked. A mild peppermint flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[183]. An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a flavouring in sweets, chewing gum, ice cream etc[183]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[183].
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[1, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for the production of essential oils, but the plant also succeeds in partial shade. Prefers a slightly acid soil[16]. Often grown in the herb garden and also commercially for its essential oil. The whole plant has a pleasant aroma of peppermint. Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[24]. A good companion for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[14, 20]. Produces a better quality essential oil if the plant is grown in dry ground[115]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2].
Known Hazards
In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so should not be used by pregnant women.
Habitats
A natural hybrid, M. aquatica x M. spicata found in moist soils.