Penny Royal - Mentha pulegium - €5 per plant 

This wonderful little mint is prostrate specie that has the most charming flowers that are very attractive to bees.  Characteristic of the mint family it is a good companion plant  with pest repellant properties. Unlike other plants in this genus it does not Hybridize freely. Penny Royal has been used for centuries in herbal medicine.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: europe
  • native habitat: Moist meadows and sandy soils by streams 
  • family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Predators

  •  no experience of any pests or predators 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 6a - 9b
  • Prefers moist soil 
  • Drought tolerant  
  • Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil.
  • Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer

Known hazards 

  • In large quantities this plant (especially in the form of the extracted essential oil) can cause abortions so it should not be used by pregnant women. Avoid if patient has fits or seizures and those with liver or kidney disease. oral intake may cause abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, confusion, delirium, auditory & visual hallucinations

Overview

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  • Herbaceous perennial growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.6 m (2ft). 
  • It is in flower from Aug to October, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • It is noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • It prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: herbaceous perennial 
  • layer : Herb Layer
  • habit: prostrate, spreading via rhiizomes  . 
  • height x width (m): 
  • years to bearing yield: 0 years  
  • productive life span: indefinite 

Products 

  • Leaf:Leaves - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods. A spearmint-like flavour, though rather coarser. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves. For drying, it should be harvested as the plant comes into flower.
  • Medicinal: Pennyroyal has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Its main value is as a digestive tonic where it increases the secretion of digestive juices and relieves flatulence and colic

Functions, behaviours

  • wind dispersed seeds
  • spreads via rhizomes
  • easy to propagate from soft wood cuttings and division.
  • Unlike other plants in this genus does not Hybridizes freely.
  • The flowers are very attractive to bees
  • The growing plant is said to repel flies and ants.
  • Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. 
  • A good companion for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project