Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
EmirDzaferovic
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Mentha
- Species:
- Mentha pulegium
- USDA Symbol:
- MEPU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, lavender, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Pyrobombus Dalla, ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers damp habitats like marshes and stream banks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Germinates best at 65-70°F.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI