Mentha pulegium 'Cunningham Mint'

RHS Plant Profile

Cunningham mint

Herbaceous Perennial

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A creeping, semi-evergreen perennial with strong peppermint scented, small, oval, mid-green leaves that are excellent for treating swelling and inflammation of mosquito bites. It rarely flowers but when it does, it produces small, pale pink flowers in terminal, globular clusters around the stem. This variety of mint is not edible

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

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): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status: Accepted

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 division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Wildlife gardens
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Cut back after flowering in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust