Spearmint

Spearmint Care

Mentha spicata

What is the plant

Easy to grow and used both fresh and dry, Spearmint has no rivals among the herbs you can cultivate.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is also known as Garden Mint, Common Mint, Lamb Mint, and Mackerel Mint. It is naturally found in all continents except for Australia. Its most widely used name derives from the pointed leaf tips called “spears”. A herbaceous plant, Spearmint has a wide underground rhizome. It flavors food, herbal teas, and aromatic oil in cosmetics.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

14°C - 17°C

Hardiness zone

5a - 9b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
This plant shouldn’t be overwatered, so it is recommended to let the soil go almost dry before watering your Spearmint. Then you should soak it thoroughly and remove all the water from the pot saucer.
Pruning
Pruning is advised only after flowering. Cutting the spearmint plant back to above the soil level in late summer will stimulate more growth in the autumnal season.
Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize Mentha spicata, but you may add some additional nutrients, such as a high-nitrogen fertilizer, after harvesting it so that it gets more energy for the next haul.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon will be ideal for a spearmint plant. If grown indoors, it might need a grow light. The ideal sun eposure is 6-8 hours.
Soil
Well-draining and nutrient-rich soil is best for mint plants. A soilless mix would also be suitable.
Propagation
You can propagate Spearmint via cuttings while adding some rooting hormone. Another method is to plant it from seed.

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Temperature
Spearmint is not cold-hardy and does not tolerate frost. It is best to overwinter the plant or keep it indoors. The ideal range is 57-75°F (14-24°C).
Container
Spearmint will thrive in a container with drainage holes and a pot saucer.
Fun fact
Spearmint is different from peppermint because of its lower percentage of menthol, which gives it a much subtler and somewhat sweet flavor.