Mint Mentha spicata
Other 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 an 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.
This upright perennial thrives in full sun in well-drained soils moist growing quickly 1 to 2 feet high and wide with bright green leaves and shoots. It can be distinguished from other mints by its almost hairless (glabrous) leaves that are attached to the stem with a very to amost non-existant petiole (sessile). The square stems can root wherever they touch the ground and it also spreads by rhizomes.
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.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fungal diseases are common diseases in spearmint. Two main diseases are rust and leaf spot. Spreads aggresively.
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'
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- 'Kentucky Colonel'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Mentha
- Species:
- spicata
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as an essential oil crops.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- 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:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- 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
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The central stem and any upper lateral stems terminate in dense spikes of whorled flowers about 1-6" long that appear from July-October. 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:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The upper surface of each 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.
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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
- Attracts:
- 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
