How to Grow Bitter Peppermint

Unlike other culinary herbs and mints, peppermint doesn't have viable seed; you can only use cuttings or transplants for growing a new peppermint plant. At maturity, the peppermint plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall, and blooms mid summer --- from July to August --- with tiny purple flowers. Although most people prefer the leaves of their peppermint to taste sweet, if you want a more bitter taste, let the leaves mature longer on the plant and become thicker.

Soil test
Peppermint transplant, division or cutting
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Conduct a soil test to determine if the place where you intend to grow peppermint needs any soil amendments. Peppermint prefers rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.5, suggests the University of Rhode Island. Adjust the soil with amendments as necessary, following manufacturer's instructions.
- 2
  Plant a transplant, division or a cutting that has rooted in water for about a week in moistened soil. Space multiple cuttings about 2 feet apart to accommodate future growth.
- 3
  Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, to encourage quicker growth, watering the plant about 1 to 2 inches per week. Avoid over-watering peppermint, as it may encourage disease.
- 4
  Harvest peppermint when the leaves are tender for sweetest results, or allow the leaves to mature to become more bitter. Remove pieces by hand, or by using sterilized scissors. According to the West Virginia University, peppermint plants thrive best when you regularly cut sprigs off the plant. Don't worry about over-pruning; it's difficult to kill mint plants.

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