La peppermint plant is one of the best known. But, Have you ever seen the mint flower? Do you know when it blooms and the characteristics it has?
Next we want to talk to you about it and also the care it will need so that you can see it flourish. Go for it?
How is the mint plant
Peppermint, with the scientific name Mentha spicata, is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. It is aromatic and does not grow very large, although it can reach a meter in height. But the normal thing is that it is from 30 to 90 centimeters in height. It has a stem that is dispersed in many branches, these with lanceolate, serrated, hairy (on the underside of these) and glabrous leaves. They are a bright green color and, to the touch, or even coming close to smelling it, you will notice its fragrance.
As for the uses that are usually given to this are aromatic, medicinal, culinary... There are many dishes that can be seasoned with mint so that they acquire a special flavor, and at a medicinal level, among the properties it has are being diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, hypostenizing...
How is the mint flower
If you are lucky you will be able to see the mint flower. These are born from a long spike that grows much more than the plant itself (to stand out from it).. These are concentrated only at the tip of this spike and are very small, in the shape of a chalice made up of five sepals and a corolla. It does not have only one color, and that is that you can find that the flowers are white or pink. They do not measure more than 3mm in length.
When does peppermint bloom?
If you already want to see the flower of the mint, or rather the flowers, because the spike will throw lots of them, You should know that you will have to wait until summer to do it.
It only blooms once a year and it will always do so in the hottest months. But, to achieve it, it is necessary that you have all the care you need satisfied.
Peppermint care
Having a mint plant at home is not difficult since it is a plant that is very easy to find in garden stores, nurseries... But yes It is convenient that you know what the care is, not only to see the flower, but also so that it is healthy. Here we leave you the most important of this.
Location and temperature
Mint is a plant that can adapt to both semi-shade and shade. But if we had to choose only one of them, then we would tell you that semi-shade is better, with lots of light, but not direct sun (this will burn the leaves and cause the so-called water stress (a very fast and extreme dry period) which will make you can die easily.
As for temperatures, it is best to be between 14 and 20ºC. It can tolerate much more heat, as well as cold, but not if there are hauls of several days. If this is your case, you will have to protect her during that time.
Substratum
Peppermint is not demanding with the soil you use, whether in a pot or in the garden itself (although it is not the most common). What you should keep in mind is that the soil must have a lot of drainage, since it does not like to have accumulations of water. That's why, use perlite or bark to aerate it well.
Irrigation
You should know that mint needs moderate watering. The earth must always be humid, especially in summer if there are high temperatures.
We cannot give you an exact guide because it will depend on whether it is in shade, semi-shade, the weather... But to give you an idea, it is possible that in winter you only water it once a week, while in summer it could be increased to two or three.
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Once or twice a month you can fertilize it with a liquid fertilizer mixed with the irrigation water. However, if you are going to use the plant at a culinary level, we do not recommend it.
It is preferable in this case to provide compost, manure, etc. rather than a chemical. This is applied in this case at the beginning of spring, only once a year. Try to use a dose appropriate to the size of the plant and as shredded as possible.
Pruning
In general, mint should not be pruned beyond what you are going to use medicinally or culinary, as well as to take cuttings.
But what you should keep in mind is that it is a very invasive plant, that is, it can destroy other plants in the garden. Therefore, it must be controlled and in many cases not planted in the garden.
Flowering
As we have told you, flowering takes place in summer. At this time you will see that, between the branches, a spike begins to grow. Make sure that it can grow easily and that there are no branches that make it difficult for it to get ahead (otherwise it may have problems).
Of course, in the shade it is much more difficult to get it to give you flowers. So one solution is to move it around to allow the light to come through and make the cycle activate to see your flowers.
These will last a few days and then wither.
Plagues and diseases
Peppermint has some pests that you will have to keep at bay so that they do not affect the health of your plant. Among them is the aphid, the white fly or the caterpillars and snails.
As for diseases, the most dangerous and that affects it the most is rust.
Multiplication
Finally, regarding the reproduction of mint, you should always cut it at the beginning of summer. You have to choose shoots that look long and healthy.
The best way for them to take root is by putting them in water since they will take root in a few days and you will be able to transplant them to the ground in a short time.
As you can see, the mint flower is something worth seeing. But to achieve this, you must not only know when it blooms, but also give it the necessary care so that it can do so. Have you ever bloomed at home? We read you!