Mentha pulegium 'Upright'

RHS Plant Profile

pennyroyal 'Upright'

RHS

Other common names

upright pennyroyal

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
6 Suppliers

A herbaceous perennial 30cm or more high with mostly upright stems and some prostrate spreading stems, narrowly elliptic to rounded, sharply aromatic, slightly toothed, bright green leaves, to 3cm long, and whorled spikes of lilac flowers in summer. This variety of mint is not edible

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or North–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): H7

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: Clump forming
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in sun or partial shade in rich, moist, and preferably sandy, acidic soil

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn, or by softwood cuttings, which will root at the nodes if placed in moist compost or water, during the growing season; it may be short-lived, so it is helpful to propagate reserve plants every year

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Banks and slopes
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust