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Mentha spicata

Phonetic Spelling
MEN-thah spih-KAY-tah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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 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 pot pourris. 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.

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 aggresively.  

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

 

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kentucky Colonel'
    Noted for its superior foliage.
'Kentucky Colonel'
Tags:
#fragrant leaves#spreading#herbaceous perennial#groundcovers that can be mowed#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#vhfn#vhfn-h#herb#weed#flowering#early childhood#herb garden#tea#th-taste#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kentucky Colonel'
    Noted for its superior foliage.
'Kentucky Colonel'
Tags:
#fragrant leaves#spreading#herbaceous perennial#groundcovers that can be mowed#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#vhfn#vhfn-h#herb#weed#flowering#early childhood#herb garden#tea#th-taste#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    Each flower is replaced by four small nutlets in the fall.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairless to somewhat hairy square stems.
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting and diarrhea with large ingestions
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Essential Oils
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No