Is this peppermint or a pepper?
It's peppermint-type mint (Mentha), a fragrant perennial herb for tea and cooking, not a hot or sweet pepper. Note that true peppermint is a sterile hybrid grown from cuttings, so seed-grown plants are vigorous peppermint-style garden mint rather than an exact clone of true peppermint.
How do I start peppermint from seed?
Surface-sow the tiny seeds on moist soil and press in lightly without covering, since they need light to germinate. Keep at 65-70F and lightly misted; sprouts usually appear in 10-16 days.
How long until I can harvest peppermint leaves?
You can begin snipping leaves about 60-90 days from sowing once plants are 6-8 inches tall. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor and aroma.
Should I grow peppermint in a container?
A container or sunken pot is highly recommended because peppermint spreads aggressively by underground runners and can take over a garden bed. Pots also make it easy to grow on a sunny windowsill.
What sun and zones does peppermint need?
Peppermint does best in full sun to part shade and is a hardy perennial in USDA zones 3-11. It prefers consistently moist, rich soil.
How many seeds are in this packet and are they heirloom?
The packet contains about 1,000 seeds, which is plenty for a home herb patch plus extras. They are open-pollinated, heirloom-type, non-GMO seeds.
Will these seeds grow true peppermint?
True peppermint is a sterile hybrid grown from cuttings, so seed-grown plants are vigorous peppermint-style garden mint with the classic cool, minty aroma rather than an exact clone. For an identical peppermint, start from a cutting of an existing plant.
How long do the seeds last?
Stored cool, dry, and sealed in the original packet, the seeds stay viable for a couple of years or more, with the best germination in the first year or two.
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