Mentha pulegium 'Upright' (Pennyroyal Upright) Herb Plant

Upright Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) Herb in 9cm Pot

Upright Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and crushed Pennyroyal leaves exhibit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional culinary herb, folk remedy, and abortifacient. Pennyroyal is the smallest of the Mints and very different in habit from any of the others. Upright Pennyroyal has strong stems, growing up to 12 inches high. The small oval leaves are hairy on both sides, and greyish green in colour.

Pennyroyal will tolerate sun or shade, but must have a moist soil.

The flowers are in whorled clusters of about a dozen, rising in tiers one above the other, and their colour can vary from reddish purple to lilac blue, and they bloom during July and August. The seed is light brown, oval and very small.

Herb Usage

An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain. The leaves have a strong spearmint fragrance and can be used to make a herb tea.

Product Warning - CAUTION: DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR HAVE A KIDNEY COMPLAINT

Buy Pennyroyal Upright Online

Our potted Upright Pennyroyal herb plants are generally available to buy online between March and September.