Mentha pulegium, Pouliot mint
Mentha pulegium
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Genus
- Mint Mentha
- Species
- Mint Pouliot Mentha pulegium
Other names:Melissa pulegium, Mentha aromatica, Mentha pulegium subsp. vulgaris, Minthe pulegia, Pulegium vulgare, Mentha tomentosa
Mentha pulegium is a plant in the Lamiaceae family native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It derives its name from the Latin word *pulex*, meaning “flea.” In fact, since ancient times, it has been believed to have the power to repel these insects.
How can you identify pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)?
Mentha pulegium is a perennial plant with a creeping, ground-covering habit. It grows no taller than 15 centimeters and spreads up to 30 centimeters.
The square, green or grayish stems are highly branched. They produce adventitious roots at the nodes.
The oval or oblong leaves are nearly entire. Their margins are only very slightly crenate, unlike those of peppermint (Mentha x piperita). They are also smaller: they measure no more than three centimeters long and a few millimeters wide. Bright green, they are hairy on top and give off a lemony scent.
Pennyroyal blooms in the summer. Its pale pink, lilac, or white flowers grow in globular clusters, clustered tightly around the stem. Each flower is tubular in shape and has slender petals.
Consuming Mentha pulegium is not recommended. This is because the plant contains pulegone, sometimes in very high concentrations. This substance is toxic to humans and animals when ingested in large quantities.
Our care tips
Mint Pouliot are very invasive. We advise against planting them in the ground. Plant them in pots to prevent the roots from spreading. If you wish, you can bury the pot.
Watering
Mint Pouliot appreciate moderate, regular watering. Between two applications of water, leave the potting soil to dry out by two or three centimetres. Check this simply by touching the soil.
Always use water at room temperature to avoid thermal shock, which can damage the roots.
Be sure to remove any standing water in the saucer or planter.
Repotting
Soak the rootball of your Mentha pulegium in a bucket of water at room temperature.
Obtain a pierced pot. Line the bottom with a drainage layer (clay balls or gravel). Pour in potting soil for herbs.
Plant your Mentha pulegium and add substrate. Stop a few centimetres below the edge to form a watering basin.
Water copiously.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Mentha pulegium, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Use a fertilizer for aromatic plants to stimulate growth. Follow the dosage prescribed by the manufacturer to avoid damaging roots or foliage.
Prune
Cut flowers to prevent seeds from spreading.
Using clean pruning shears or a pair of scissors, cut back the stems to 10 cm above the ground to encourage plant renewal.
Planting
Soak your Pennyroyal to rehydrate the roots.
Meanwhile, dig a hole three times the size of the root ball. Mint Pouliot can spread where you least expect it. Install a root barrier to prevent the roots from invading your entire garden.
Plant your Pennyroyal. The root ball should be level with the ground. Fill in with a mixture of universal potting soil and garden soil. Water to encourage growth.
Your Pennyroyal likes humidity. You can mulch the base to keep the soil cool and limit watering.
Taking cuttings
Dig your Pennyroyal out of the ground and determine how many plants to separate. You can divide them by hand. If the roots are too tangled, cut them apart using a disinfected, sharp knife.
Pour a drainage layer (clay balls, gravel) into a pierced pot adapted to the size of your cutting. Then add potting soil for herbs.
Plant your Pennyroyal. Tamp gently and water to encourage rooting.
Disease / Threat
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubsPlanter
- Categories
- RhizomeHerbaceous
- Tags
- BeginnerInvasiveHard to killMedicinalHardy
- Origins
- North AfricaWestern AsiaEastern EuropeSouthern EuropeWestern Europe
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- WhitePale pinkLilac
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Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
