Peppermint

Peppermint is a hardy perennial and survives the winter in the bed in the lowlands of Germany, Austria and Switzerland without protection: the shoots die back after frost, and the rhizomes sprout again in spring. You can cut back the dead stems or leave them standing as a natural protective layer. Only in a container is the root ball more vulnerable; then place it against a wind-sheltered house wall, wrap it in hessian or coir matting and do not bring it into the warm living room, because the plant needs its winter rest.

Peppermint is a sterile hybrid (of water mint and spearmint) and forms no viable seeds. Propagate it exclusively vegetatively. Any seeds sold commercially are parent species or other mints, not true peppermint.

Cuttings (easiest method, spring to early summer): Cut 10 to 15 cm long shoot tips without flower buds from a healthy shoot. Remove the lower pairs of leaves and stand the cuttings in a glass of water in a warm, partly shaded spot. Change the water every few days. After 1 to 2 weeks enough roots have formed; then plant them in herb compost. Alternatively, insert them directly into moist compost and keep evenly moist. Pinch out the tips of the young mint a few times later so that it becomes bushy.

Runners/offsets (spring or late summer): Peppermint forms underground creeping runners (stolons) that already carry root buds of their own. Carefully lift the plant with a digging fork, separate rooted runner pieces 5 to 10 cm long and plant them immediately in the desired spot or in pots. This method works especially reliably because the pieces already bring roots with them.

Division (best in spring or autumn): Dig up the root ball completely and divide it into several pieces with a sharp spade or knife. Each piece needs roots and at least a few shoot buds. Plant the pieces immediately and water in well. In spring, the divided pieces recover fastest. Division also rejuvenates older clumps that are going bare in the middle.