Spearmint
Mentha spicata · Lamiaceae
📷 Simon Eugster --Simon 13:07, 2 July 2006 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Spearmint is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Mentha spicata
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Plant type
- Perennial herb
- Adult height
- 60 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-persistent
- Flowering
- July to September
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean and temperate regions
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Mentha spicata grows very fast and can take over: plant it in a buried pot or in an isolated area of the garden. Regularly harvest stems for the kitchen and stay in control.
The common mistake
Letting it spread freely via rhizomes: it smothers neighbors in two years.
The pro's trick
Divide clumps every two years in spring or fall to keep it compact.
Care
Light
Spearmint appreciates full sun for vigorous growth and optimal concentration of essential oils. It also tolerates partial shade, especially in warm climates where this can prevent drying out. Place it in a bright location protected from drying winds.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist without becoming waterlogged, especially during the growing period (spring-summer). Mint hates excess water which promotes root rot. In winter, reduce watering.
Soil
Prefer rich, well-draining and slightly moist soil. Mint adapts to most garden soils enriched with organic matter. Improve heavy soils with compost or sand to prevent root asphyxiation.
Pruning and harvesting
Pinch young stems regularly to encourage a bushy habit. Harvest leaves before flowering for better flavor, or let it flower for pollinators. Cut the plant back to ground level in autumn after flowering.
Fertilizer
A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is plenty. Good incorporation of compost during planting provides the necessary elements. Avoid excess nitrogen which weakens disease resistance.
Diseases and pests
Mint is generally robust, but fears powdery mildew and rust in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Spider mites may appear during prolonged drought; mist lightly if necessary.
Did you know?
Spearmint (or garden mint) is one of the oldest cultivated plants, used since Greco-Roman antiquity for its digestive and refreshing properties. It naturally hybridized with other mint species to create peppermint, accidentally discovered in 17th-century England and became one of the most commercialized mints in the world.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- SageSalvia officinalis
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.