Pantry Garden Herbs Home
<div style="vertical-align:middle; height:100%; font-size:16px; color:#E7AD00">Ornamental, aromatic, and flavorful.</div>

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)
Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal is one of the most fascinating and unique members of the mint family. It is extremely useful as an insect repellent because bugs positively hate it, and can be rubbed on the skin to that purpose, or put in bedclothes or the closet to make any unwanted creatures flee. It has a very distinct scent that is reminiscent of mint but with a stronger odor of camphor. Ingestion of this plant is strongly discouraged.

It makes a superb low-growing ground cover, because it is both very hardy and very ornamental: it has tiny bright lime-green foliage that forms a dense mat and works well between stones.

Interesting Notes
In medieval times pennyroyal was thought to relieve itches, nausea, headaches and congestion, and to soothe the feet when put in the shoes during a long journey. It is now medically demonstrated that pennyroyal, as a mint, is indeed a stimulant.

Growing Tips
Use in rock gardens. Requires little to no maintenance.

Sowing Information
Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost in loose growing mix. Cover seeds 1/8" soil or 1/4" vermiculite. Keep moist. Seed will germinate in 10-14 days. Transplant 12-18" apart in a sunny location.


Height
4-6 Inches

spacer spacer

USDA Hardiness Zone
5

Our 2008 shipping season for plants has ended.
All plant orders placed now will be shipped in the spring 2009.
Pricing
Shipping Info

Characteristics & Attributes

Attributes
Ground Cover
Edging
Border
Mass Plant
Fragrant
Container
Small / Miniature
Critter Resistance
Deer Resistant
Exposure
Sun Tolerant
Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
Growth Rate in the Garden
Medium
Season of Interest (Foliage)
Fall
Late Spring / Early Summer
Late Summer
Soil Moisture Needs
Dry
Average
Moist
Cooking with Herbs   §   Planting Zones   §   Preserving Herbs   §    Plant Site Map
Copyright © 2008 Pantry Garden Herbs Produced by Clarity Connect, Inc.