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Common Name: Peppermint Geranium

General Information

Pelargonium tomentosum is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. Africa - S.W. Cape Province.

Habitat

Semi-shaded moist places. Sandy soils on the margins of forests along streams[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a light well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position[, ]. This species dislikes full sun[].
Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about 0°c[]. They generally require greenhouse protection but might succeed outdoors when grown in a very sheltered warm spot in the mildest parts of the country[]. They can also be grown in containers that are placed outdoors in the summer and then brought into the greenhouse or conservatory for the winter[]. The plants need to be kept fairly dry in the winter[].
Very tolerant of pruning, they can be cut right down to the base in the autumn when bringing them back indoors, or in the spring to encourage lots of fresh growth[].
The leaves and the stems release a strong scent of peppermint when they are touched[].
There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

The leaves and flowers have a strong mint scent and are used for flavouring cakes, puddings, pies, biscuits etc[, ].
A peppermint-flavoured tea is infused from the fresh leaves[].

Medicinal

All parts of the plant are astringent[]. The fresh leaves are used externally as a poultice for bruises and sprains[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant. It has a peppermint fragrance[, ].
The dried leaves are added to pot-pourri[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Stored seed should be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best with a minimum temperature of 13°c, germination usually taking place within 2 weeks though it sometimes takes some months[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in early summer and consider giving them extra protection during the winter.
Cuttings succeed at almost any time in the growing season but early summer is the best time in order for the new plant to become established before winter.