Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal Creeping) Herb Plant

Pennyroyal Creeping (Mentha pulegium)  Herb in 9cm Pot

Creeping Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and crushed Pennyroyal leaves release a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional culinary herb, folk remedy. Pennyroyal is the smallest of the Mints and very different in habit from any of the others. Creeping pennyroyal has quadrangular stems which grow to 10cm high, and as the name suggests, creeps along the ground, easily rooting at nodes if conditions are suitable. The small oval leaves are hairy on both sides, and greyish green in colour.

This really is a lovely little plant that is perfect for ground cover, plant this so it overflows onto a path and when crushed underfoot the scent is amazing. Of course, you could plant a whole lawn of this, should you wish. Semi-evergreen in habit, with small pale green leaves; atop this, pale lavender flowers appear in whorled clusters sporadically over the summer months. It can reach a height of approximately 9" (23 cm) but can be kept trimmed and/or walked on or for ground cover.

This is also an excellent plant for areas where ants are troublesome as they hate the scent. Creeping Penny royal is also a great nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.

Pennyroyal will tolerate sun or shade, but prefers a moist soil, may need protection from frost in exposed areas.

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. We recommend growing for its grond cover properties and not for consumption as it has a pretty bitter taste as well as being dangerous to pregnant women. 

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

Buy Creeping Pennyroyal Online

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