Spearmint is one of the most well-known plants, primarily for its aroma, but also for its diverse uses, especially in cooking. Therefore, discover everything about this wonderful plant below: its origin, how to care for spearmint , where you can buy it, and much more.
Peppermint care
The first thing to point out is that it is one of the simplest plants to grow, it will give an excellent smell around it and you can use it for many things, you will not need great experience in the area of agriculture to have this plant in your home.
The location of the plant is paramount when growing it, since it needs a lot of sun, place it in the garden, on the roof where the sun hits it, in a window or similar. It should not be very cold, otherwise it will not develop.
If you live in an area where the sun is quite intense, then it is best to place it where it is also in the shade, otherwise the high temperatures will not allow its evolution.
Features
The height of this plant is up to about 30 centimeters.
It is herbaceous.
The color of its leaves is light green, in addition, they give off a quite pleasant smell.
Something that you should keep in mind is that its roots are invasive, which is why you will be able to observe an outbreak of this plant from a certain distance, children are coming out everywhere, especially if you have planted them in a garden or a spacious place where they can grow. without limits.
Its scientific name is Mentha spicata.
They can be derived from two types of grass: white and black.
As for his roses, they are born on the spikes.
They have five petals.
It can be used medicinally as the Insulin Plant.
When can peppermint be cut?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions regarding the care of this plant, because for it to look fresh and beautiful it is always necessary to know precisely what it needs and what should be avoided, as for the question, the answer is that you can do it at any time. of the year, since this type of plant allows it.
It's also important to note that if you decide to cut it for whatever reason, the dried leaves will also be useful for many meals, so you don't need to cut and discard them. Instead, you can store them and give them another use when necessary, especially in cooking, for example in alcoholic beverages, games, salads, and others.
How much do you have to water the peppermint?
This is also one of the most frequently asked questions about this plant. The truth is that it must have enough moisture to flourish and stay green and beautiful, so it is highly recommended that you water it regularly and with enough water.
Keep an eye on the moisture in the soil where you have it, as this is what ensures its abundance and beauty. You can fertilize it with organic leftovers from your food, such as potato peels, carrot peels, eggshells, meat scraps of any kind, and others.
Avoid flooding the area, only put enough water to keep it cool, without flooding, as this will drown the roots and the plant will die, you can water a little every day.
How to grow peppermint?
This is a plant that with proper care will look quite leafy and healthy. By watering it constantly, you'll see how much it grows, even if it's in the sun. In addition, farmers and biologists say that when it flowers, you can prune it a little, so it will look leafier.
If you've never pruned a plant before, don't worry; it's a fairly simple and quick task. You don't need much experience to do it; you'll just need to remove a few stems with the help of garden shears or school shears that you no longer use, but you can also do it using your hands.
By doing this, by next spring your plant will have grown much larger and will look healthy and shiny, with abundant leaves sprouting.
Spearmint or peppermint, what's the difference?
There is often confusion regarding these plants, the truth about them is that peppermint is within the classification of blankets, that is, it is only one of the types of this plant, as there are more than twenty-five species.
A very simple way to differentiate the plant in question from other types of mint is through its aroma, since it has a sweet, delicate smell, it can even be smelled at a certain distance, because although it is delicate, it spreads, pleasing whoever finds it. nearby, which is why it is used in food and even in beauty and hygiene products.
invasive character. Cutting and transplant.
As mentioned in a previous segment, this plant is a bit invasive, as its roots spread slowly and it can be seen that other shoots sprout from the mother plant about a foot or more away.
Video about the invasive nature of spearmint
Its invasion occurs especially when planted in a garden. It's important to note here that if you're going to consume the plant, it's best to do so with its tender shoots, although dried shoots can also be consumed. It's also important to repot the plant every year to ensure it remains tender.
Pests and diseases that can affect it
There are various conditions that this plant can go through, such as aphids, whiteflies, fungi and more.
As for the latter, it usually occurs when the temperatures in the place where the mint is found are mild, neither hot nor cold, and there is sufficient humidity, which usually occurs during the rainy season.
You'll notice fungus forming under the leaves. In addition to the first, aphids can be seen as reddish lice on the plant's leaves, especially on newly emerged shoots. They are often quite harmful to the plant. Finally, there is the whitefly, which also causes damage and commonly appears in spring and summer.
Pot care
Many people who have had this type of plants say that it is better to have them in a pot, since in this way it is possible to protect them from torrential rains that can damage them, as well as very cold winds, pests and conditions.
It doesn't matter if the pot is plastic, cement, or similar materials. The important thing is to take care of it and keep it in a suitable location, watering it at least three times a week in summer, pruning it, filling it with fertilizer, and more of the aforementioned. If you have perlite, you can also add 30% of the potting soil along with universal potting soil, which you can get at local nurseries and other plant stores.
winter care
As already mentioned, this plant likes sun and warmth, so care should be increased during winter. You won't need to water it as often as often a week; perhaps once or twice will be fine. During winter, the likelihood of this plant dying increases, unless it is protected.
The lowest temperature at which the plant will not be affected is fifteen degrees, but if it falls below that, the plant will deteriorate, and if it drops below zero, it will quickly die. Check your plant frequently, observing its leaves and stems for any changes. If you see aphids or fungus, remove those leaves or stems so the rest don't contract this pest. You can also spray it with an onion and garlic infusion.
Multiplication
To propagate it, you'll simply need to take a branch from your mother plant and plant it elsewhere, as it's known for its rapid rooting. Plus, if it's spring, you can propagate it by cutting. If you want it to grow and multiply faster, simply use substrate and fertilizer, water it regularly, and don't forget to repot it every year.
Rusticity
This aspect is related to the cold, although it can withstand it somewhat if well cared for. It shouldn't be exposed to very low temperatures; if you have it in a pot, you can move it indoors during the winter. This way, your plant will be healthy and you can continue to enjoy it at the end of the season.
What uses does it have?
This is a very useful plant. Many people use it simply because they like its scent and keep it in their garden or on their windowsill to always have a fresh aroma. Others choose to keep it in their kitchen. It can be used in soups, stews, and omelets. Its leaves can also be used to make tea, and many alcoholic beverages are flavored and scented with this plant.
But we mustn't forget its medicinal uses, similar to those of the verbena plant , as it is analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, antispasmodic, and stimulant. It has many properties. You can make an infusion of it for these types of remedies, or you can apply it to the affected area if it's antiseptic. You can also make chewing gum and ice cream with it for added enjoyment.
Where to buy it?
If after reading this information you want to acquire this plant and carry out all the care of the peppermint, it is best that you go to the nursery closest to your town and ask for this plant to buy it, together with the universal substrate and the perlite so you have everything at hand when you need it.
You can also ask a friend or family member if they have this plant in their garden or in a pot. They can give you a seedling or a seedling, and you can plant it in your home. You'll see how quickly it grows without any problems.
