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Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium

Packet Size: Approximately 100 seeds

£0.60
£0.60
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Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium is an easily grown low spreading perennial. The lovely clusters of lilac flowers are particularly attractive to bees and hoverflies, and when planted between paving the whole plant gives out a strong minty aroma as you walk across it.  It is often grown near outdoor seating, as it is reputed to repel gnats and mosquitoes, or you can toss a small bunch into a firepit for the scent         
CAUTION: Pennyroyal should not be consumed during pregnancy.
🌱 Seasonal Growing Guide
SPRING
• Sow seeds in trays or plugs.
• Lightly cover with perlite.
• Avoid overwatering once seeds have germinated.
• Pot up into individual pots when seedlings are large enough to handle.
• Grow on until ready to plant out after hardening off.
SUMMER & AUTUMN
• Harvest leaves regularly.
• Trim plants to keep them tidy.
• Encourages fresh, young growth.
WINTER
• Fully hardy – will survive outdoors.
• Pot up a small plant for the windowsill to enjoy fresh leaves indoors.

📌USES
CAUTION: Do not consume Pennyroyal during pregnancy. It should also be avoided if you have kidney problems..
• Culinary: small amounts of the leaves were used to flavour foods, wines, and teas, particularly in Roman and North African cuisine. Its strong flavour is generally considered too potent for modern tastes and the caution above should always be noted, 
OTHER USES
• Insect Repellent: crushed leaves and stems are said to repel gnats, mosquitoes and ants although there is limited scientific evidence to prove this.
• Wildlife friendly for some insects…the flowers are loved by bees and other pollinators
• Groundcover: as a fast-growing, creeping perennial, it works well as a fragrant groundcover, releasing a minty smell when walked on. It can even integrate with grass on a lawn rather than take over
• Magical: sacred to Demeter, Pennyroyal is associated with wisdom and the power of renewal, it brings a calm strength to any spell and has a long history of use for protection.
• Medicinal: pennyroyal leaves are a traditional folk remedy in several cultures. However, the distilled oil is toxic to the liver, can be harmful in small doses to infants and children, and must never be consumed during pregnancy.

 

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Sowing

  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May

Harvesting / Flowering

  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov