How to Grow Peppermint Stick
Peppermint Stick
Mentha × piperita 'Peppermint Stick'
herbPeppermint Stick is a variegated cultivar of common peppermint featuring distinctive white-striped green foliage with an intensely aromatic, cooling flavor. This perennial herb grows vigorously and produces small purple or pink flowers in mid-to-late summer. It's prized for tea, culinary uses, and ornamental appeal in herb gardens.
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Example Peppermint Stick timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Peppermint Stick
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Peppermint Stick
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Peppermint Stick dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9, survives winters in zone 3 with mulch protection
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Establishment
2-3 weeksNewly planted cuttings or divisions develop roots and send up new shoot growth. Variegated foliage becomes visible within 1-2 weeks
Keep soil consistently moist. Protect from strong wind. Pinch back initial growth to encourage bushiness. Avoid heavy fertilization
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple stems with distinctive white-striped green leaves. Growth is rapid and vigorous, with new shoots emerging regularly
Water regularly; allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Pinch off flower buds if you prefer foliage-only harvests. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
Pre-Flowering
2-3 weeksPlant reaches mature size with dense foliage. Flower buds form at stem tips; overall plant becomes bushier and more compact
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering if desired. Continue regular watering. Prune lightly to maintain shape and encourage branching
Flowering
3-4 weeks (mid-July through August in most zones)Small delicate purple, pink, or lavender flowers bloom along spike-like flower heads. Some leaf production continues; fragrance intensifies
Deadhead flowers to extend leaf production and redirect energy away from seeds. Flowers attract pollinators. Foliage may become slightly tougher; harvest for tea before or during flowering
Dormancy/Winter
3-4 months (November-March in most zones)Foliage dies back after first frost in fall. Underground rhizomes remain viable and will regrow in spring
Cut back dead stems to ground level in late fall. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch over the root zone. In zone 3, provide extra protection. Do not water during dormancy
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Increase humidity around plants
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Remove affected leaves; use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad if needed
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Improve air circulation
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Spray with strong water jet; use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or ladybug introduction for biological control
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Improve air circulation and reduce leaf wetness. Spray with sulfur or baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon water). Remove severely affected leaves
Uses
Tea and beverages
CulinaryPeppermint Stick makes an exceptionally refreshing herbal tea with intense cooling and sweet mint flavor. Use fresh or dried leaves steeped in hot water for 5-10 minutes [source]
Cooking and desserts
CulinaryUse fresh leaves to garnish desserts, flavor ice cream, or infuse into syrups and cocktails. The variegated foliage adds visual appeal to plate presentations [source]
Digestive and respiratory support
MedicinalPeppermint is traditionally used to soothe digestive discomfort, relieve stomach cramps, and support clear breathing. The high menthol content provides a cooling, soothing sensation [source]
Natural cleaner and fragrance
HouseholdCrushed peppermint leaves can freshen spaces naturally; dried leaves in sachets deter insects and add pleasant aroma to closets and drawers [source]
Ornamental herb garden
CraftThe striking white-variegated foliage makes Peppermint Stick a visually attractive addition to herb borders, containers, and specimen plantings beyond purely functional herb gardens [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin light harvesting when plant has 6+ leaves, typically 30-45 days after planting. For best flavor and essential oil content, harvest in the morning after dew dries, just before flowering. Pinch off top 2-4 inches of stems; this encourages bushier growth. Cut up to 1/3 of the plant at a time. You can make 2-3 harvests per season. Dry leaves by hanging in bundles in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area (1-2 weeks), or use fresh immediately
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Peppermint is a sterile hybrid between spearmint and watermint, and Peppermint Stick's variegated pattern is a chimera—different colored tissue in the same plant that arose from a genetic mutation
- 🌱 Menthol, the compound responsible for peppermint's cooling sensation, actually activates the same cold-sensing receptors in your mouth as actual cold water (TRPM8 receptors)
- 🌱 Peppermint has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years; ancient Egyptians and Romans valued it as a digestive aid and as an offering in temples
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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