Peppermint (Mentha × piperita, Sp. Pl.: 576 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 576 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: hybrid

Genus: Mentha

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia

Description

Peppermint is a well-regarded and widely known herb, notable for its vivid green leaves and distinct, refreshing aroma. Its scientific name is Mentha × piperita, denoting its hybrid status, which combines traits from two different species of mint to produce its unique characteristics. This herb is part of the Lamiaceae family, a diverse and significant plant group renowned for its aromatic members.

Originating from Europe and Central Asia, peppermint has a long-standing historical presence stretching back to ancient times. It was first officially documented in the seminal botanical publication “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, a classic work that laid the foundation for modern botanical nomenclature.

Peppermint thrives in a variety of climates and soil types, though it prefers moist, nutrient-rich environments. The plant is characterized by its square stems, a common trait among members of the mint family, and its leaves, which are typically dark green with reddish veins. When in bloom, peppermint produces small, purple flowers arranged in dense clusters.

Known for its potent essential oils, peppermint is widely used in both culinary and medicinal applications. The leaves contain high levels of menthol, which imparts a cooling sensation that is both refreshing and soothing. In the culinary world, peppermint is used to flavor teas, sweets, and a variety of dishes, offering a versatile ingredient that enhances both savory and sweet recipes.

In traditional medicine, peppermint has been valued for its therapeutic properties. Its oil is often used to treat symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and muscle pain. The refreshing aroma of peppermint makes it a popular choice in aromatherapy, where it is used to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.

Beyond its practical applications, peppermint is also grown ornamentally in gardens for its attractive foliage and pleasant scent. Its ability to repel pests adds an environmentally friendly benefit to its use as a companion plant.

Whether appreciated for its robust flavor, its health benefits, or its aromatic presence, peppermint continues to be a cherished herb across cultures and regions. Its enduring popularity and diverse applications illustrate the plant’s remarkable versatility and enduring appeal.

Common Names

En: Peppermint, Black peppermint, Curly mint, Hairy peppermint, White peppermint
Cs: Mata pieporná
Da: Peber-mynte, Vand-mynte × grøn mynte
Nl: Pepermunt
Fi: Piparminttu
Fr: Menthe poivrée
De: Pfeffer-Minze, Pfefferminze, Weiße Minze
Lv: Piparmētra
Nb: Peppermynte
Nn: Peparmynte
Pt: Hortelã-pimenta
Es: Menta piperita
Sv: Pepparmynta, Piparminttu

Synonyms

• Mentha × odora (Salisb.)
• Mentha × hudsoniana (Heinr.Braun)
• Mentha × concinna (Pérard)
• Mentha × piperita var. hudsoniana (Heinr.Braun)
• Mentha × piperoides (Malinv.)
• Mentha × piperita var. pimentum ((Nees ex Bluff & Fingerh.) Nyman)
• Mentha × piperita var. globosiceps (Briq.)
• Mentha × piperita var. langii (W.D.J.Koch)
• Mentha × piperita var. pennsylvanica (Briq.)
• Mentha × pimentum (Nees ex Bluff & Fingerh.)
• Mentha × piperita var. durandoana ((Malinv. ex Batt.) Briq.)
• Mentha × exaltata (Heinr.Braun)
• Mentha × piperita f. puberula (Topitz)
• Mentha × suavis var. schultzii ((Boutigny ex F.W.Schultz) Briq.)
• Mentha aquatica var. piperita ((L.) Alef.)
• Mentha × piperita var. calvifolia (Briq.)
• Mentha × nigricans (Mill.)
• Mentha × napolitana (Ten.)
• Mentha × heuffelii (Heinr.Braun)
• Mentha × kahirina (Forssk.)
• Mentha × piperita var. crispula ((Wender.) Heinr.Braun)
• Mentha hortensis var. citrata (Ten.)
• Mentha × piperita var. calophylla (Briq.)
• Mentha × piperita var. beckeri (Briq.)
• Mentha × hircina (Hull)
• Mentha × piperita var. hercynica ((Röhl.) Briq.)
• Mentha × piperita var. officinalis (W.D.J.Koch)
• Mentha × piperita var. sylvestris (Sole)
• Mentha × piperita var. braousiana ((Pérard) Briq.)
• Mentha × piperita var. piperoides ((Malinv.) Rouy)
• Mentha × hortensis (Ten.)
• Mentha × braousiana (Pérard)
• Mentha × hirtescens (Haw. ex Spach)
• Mentha × officinalis (Hull)
• Mentha × piperita var. hircina (Gray)
• Mentha × crispula (Wender.)
• Mentha glomerata var. piperita ((L.) Gray)
• Mentha × piperita var. hispidula (Briq.)
• Mentha × piperita var. balsamea ((Willd.) Rouy)
• Mentha × banatica (Heinr.Braun)
• Mentha × fraseri (Druce)
• Mentha aquatica f. piperita ((L.) G.Mey.)
• Mentha × tenuis (Frank ex Benth.)
• Mentha × balsamea (Willd.)
• Mentha aquatica var. langii ((Geiger ex T.Nees) Alef.)
• Mentha canescens var. schultzii ((Boutigny ex F.W.Schultz) Rouy)
• Mentha × piperita var. ouweneelii (Lebeau & Lambinon)
• Mentha × maximilianea var. schultzii ((Boutigny ex F.W.Schultz) Briq.)
• Mentha × hercynica (Röhl.)
• Mentha × piperita var. poicila (Topitz)
• Mentha × piperita f. rotundella (Topitz)
• Mentha × piperita var. vulgaris (Sole)
• Mentha × piperita var. heuffelii ((Heinr.Braun) Topitz)
• Mentha × piperita var. subhirsuta (Benth.)
• Mentha × durandoana (Malinv. ex Batt.)
• Mentha × glabrata (Vahl)
• Mentha × schultzii (Boutigny ex F.W.Schultz)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Suarez Ana Paula (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by castillo mery (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by arif anti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 1985 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Ale (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Lola Lola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Lola Lola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Júlio César O Vital (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Júlio César O Vital (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 2, 2019 by Fedan Hacizade (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2021 by Aga K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2019 by Winston (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2021 by Ortiz Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2020 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 15, 2020 by adeline Kirsch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Pankaj Sharma (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 2, 2019 by Fedan Hacizade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Guerrero Quitorán Juan Manuel Jesús (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by inakibus (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by Aviña Federico (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by ʅσʅҽʂ Ƈϝ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by Nel Son (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by lolo.68 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2022 by Randa Essawi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:450969-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mentha × piperita L.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8707933)

Specifications

Growth