Mentha spicata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MEN-thah spih-KAY-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Spearmint is a flowering, aromatic herb or groundcover in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to Europe. In its natural haibtat it is found growing in moist fields and pond or lake margins. It can be distinguished from other mints by its almost hairless (glabrous) leaves that are attached to the stem with a very to almost non-existant petiole (sessile). The genus name comes from Minthe or Menthe, a water nymph in Greek mythology, who was transformed by Persephone into a mint plant in revenge for Minthe's ongoing affair with Hades (husband of Persephone). The species name means spike.
This upright perennial thrives in full sun in organically rich, well-drained, moist soils growing quickly 1 to 2 feet high and wide with bright green leaves and shoots. It does tolerate partial shade and a wide range of soil types, but does not do well in dry soils. The square stems can root wherever they touch the ground and it also spreads by rhizomes. Soil barriers can restrain rhizomatous spread if plants are grown in borders or other areas where spread is unwanted.
The small lilac, pink, or white flowers appear in terminal spikes in late summer and can be sheared after bloom to remove flower spikes and stimulate new vegetative growth. Leaves have a strong spearmint fragrance and taste, and may be used to flavor teas, in salads, as a garnish or in potpourris.
It is widely used for culinary purposes and is known as one of the best mints for flavor. Use the flowers and leaves fresh or dried in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, ice creams, lamb dishes, and mint sauce.
Best grown in a container as it spreads rampantly. This trait, however, can be an advantage if the plants are grown as a ground cover in moist areas. The herb will also do well in a raised bed that will provide good drainage and help to control spread.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fungal diseases are common diseases in spearmint. Two main diseases are rust and leaf spot. The plant spreads aggressively.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Kentucky Colonel'
Noted for its superior foliage.
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
Noted for its superior foliage.
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Mentha
- Species:
- spicata
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Spearmint has significant economic value as a flavoring in chewing gum, in tea, and as an essential oil crop.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to China
- Distribution:
- Introduced into Canada, United States, Southeastern South America and Northern Africa.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies.
- Edibility:
- Fresh or dried leaves and flowers in teas, beverages, sauces, jellies, vinegars; Fresh leaves in fruit salad, peas, syrups, candies, ice creams, lamb dishes, mint sauce.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Each flower is replaced by four small nutlets in the fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The central stem and any upper lateral stems terminate in dense spikes of whorled flowers about 1 to 6 inches long that appear from July-October. Individual flowers are small, about 1/8 of an inch. The tiny flowers are white to pink.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The upper surface of each 3 inch leaf is medium green and glabrous; it has a wrinkled appearance because of the indentations along its veins. The lower surface of each leaf is pale to medium green and mostly glabrous and the leaves are nearly sessile. The foliage of spearmint has a moderately strong minty fragrance. The elongated teeth of the margins have narrow tips that bend toward the tip of each leaf blade.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Hairless to somewhat hairy square stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Foot Traffic
- Heat
- Humidity
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
