Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Swiss Ricola'

RHS Plant Profile
eau de Cologne mint 'Swiss Ricola'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Swiss Ricola'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
3 Suppliers

A vigorous, upright, spreading, perennial herb with lance-shaped, toothed, strongly aromatic, mid-green leaves that are peppermint scented. Small, pale purple flowers appear in terminal spikes in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Genus
Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained soil in full or partial sun. May have to potential to become a nuisance; restrict the root run in a deep container and plunge into the ground, or plant in a well chosen site where it can grow unrestricted. This variety does tend to be less invasive than other mints. See mint cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to mint rust and powdery mildews