Habitat
Historically, peppermint was first
known to be grown in the Mediterranean basin. During the
late 1700s it was cultivated and grown commercially
in England and with the formation of the American colonies, it
was sailed across the Atlantic and cultivated in Massachusetts.
Today, in the United States, the
peppermint plant is usually grown in the Midwest. This region
includes northern Indiana, southern Wisconsin, and central Michigan.
It is also grown in the western states of Washington, Oregon, and
Idaho where precipitation is very plentiful.
When it isn’t being grown commercially, Mentha piperita is actually an invasive species (in the Great Lakes region), growing rampantly in drainage ditches, on the sides of streams and rivers, and other moist habitats. It is a hardy plant that does not require many nutrients and can sustain bitter-cold Wisconsin winters.
To learn more about how M. piperita thrives in
these environments, check out the
adaptations
page! Or, go back
home.