English Pennyroyal

On Nov 29, 2018, Hexalectris from CANTONMENT, FL wrote:

I don't grow the stuff, but I do use the extract. 4-5 drops in a pint of water and used with an ordinary squirt bottle chases virtually any bad guy including roaches. I found my bird seed tub crawling with roaches on one occasion, and a quick app of Pennyroyal sent them flying with no return. The birds don't mind either. I've also had excellent success with fire ants. I've stopped using fire ant bait because the stuff is terribly toxic, stays in the soil and it's expensive. Pennyroyal extract has none of those problems. A small bottle is $10-12 and 4-5 drops in a pint is sufficient.

On Jan 3, 2006, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote:

I have pennyroyal planted around my pond, and to some extent it is evergreen (zone 5a). It loves to grow into the pond and roots really well in the water. I leave some of it there to help use up excess nitrogen left behind from too many fish. It also helps to hide the edges of the plastic.

My information says it is hardy in zones 3-9. It is slow to germinate. Blooms in July in my garden.

On May 2, 2005, ladyannne from Merced, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

An herbal medicine cabinet must, but it needs to be contained. If it escapes, I simply rip it out. Wonderful additive for herbal teas (if you are not pregnant), especially for those less desirable flavored ones. My insects aren't daunted by it at all. : (

On Aug 17, 2004, deborahgrand from Baton Rouge, LA wrote:

I have tried to grow this plant in just about every condition in BR, La and never, ever had success with it. May be operator error, or this climate may just not be good for it.

On Jun 16, 2003, christidir from Lancaster, TX wrote:

I have had great success growing this herb so far this summer. It has spread quickly, has a wonderful aroma and is attractive in containers with flowering annuals and caladiums. The only problem I find with it is that on the website, botany.com, it discourages from using it in cooking, as it says that too much of it can be toxic to humans. Because I have small pets who sometimes like to "sample" around in my container plantings, I have worried that they might be attracted to the herb and that it would be harmful to them. This could be significant information for anyone with small pets around their gardens.

On Jul 25, 2002, Ayre007 wrote:

If you are pregnant or nursing NEVER, EVER use the Pennyroyal. It is a very good insect repellent (actually, most bug sprays like OFF use the chemicals from Pennyroyal in their products). Throughout history Pennyroyal is famous as an abortifacient. However, many woman have died attempting to do this because the dose that it takes is close to the lethal dose. The toxins shut down the liver. However, as a tea, Pennyroyal is good for any stomach ailments but I would use something not so risky like Ginger or Caraway instead ;)

On Nov 2, 2001, poppysue from Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) wrote:

This is a wonderful little creeper with a strong minty fragrance. It forms a fast traveling, dense mat, of glossy green leaves. The lavender flowers grow in whorls up the stems at the leaf axils. It’s known to repel insects, especially fleas. In large concentrations it can be toxic to the skin and if taken internally so if your looking for a mint for tea it’s best to go with another variety. It’s strong aroma smells clean to me. I don’t know where I ever got the idea…but I make a large pennyroyal infusion, add a couple of pints of vinegar, and use the concoction to wash my hardwood floors. It is not winter hardy in northern zones so it never gets a chance to become invasive like so many other mints. It will grow in full sun as well as partial shade