What hardiness zones is Mentha spicata suitable for?

Mentha spicata is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

When does Mentha spicata bloom?

Flowers from July through September. Dense terminal spikes bloom over 3–4 weeks. Pollinated by bees and butterflies. Unlike the sterile {M. × piperita}, spearmint produces viable seed, contributing to naturalization. Cut back before flowering to maximize leaf essential oil content.

What are the sun requirements for Mentha spicata?

Mentha spicata requires Part Sun.

How much water does Mentha spicata need?

Mentha spicata has Medium water needs.

Herbs

Mentha spicata

Spearmint

LamiaceaeEurope, western Asia

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width24-48 inches (60-120 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancehigh

Overview

Mentha spicata is a vigorous, rhizomatous, spreading perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae) reaching 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall with a 24–48 inch (60–120 cm) spread, colonizing rapidly via underground stolons and surface runners. Stems are square, erect, green (not reddish-purple like M. x piperita), smooth to sparsely hairy. Leaves are opposite, ovate to lance-shaped, 1–3.5 inches (2.5–9 cm) long, bright green, wrinkled (rugose), with sharply toothed margins and sessile or nearly sessile attachment. The sweet spearmint scent is from carvone (60–70% of essential oil), which produces a warm, sweet sensation without the cooling menthol effect of peppermint. Flowers are lavender to white, small, tubular, two-lipped, in dense terminal spikes 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, tapering to a point. Unlike M. x piperita, spearmint is a true species that produces viable seed, contributing to its naturalization. The aggressive stoloniferous spread is the primary management concern — a single plant can colonize 4+ square feet (0.4+ m²) per season. Container culture is recommended.

Native Range

Native to Europe and western Asia, occurring in moist habitats, roadsides, and waste ground. Cultivated for at least 2,000 years. Widely naturalized across temperate North America in moist habitats, ditches, and stream margins.

Suggested Uses

Planted in herb gardens, balcony containers, kitchen windowsill gardens. Container culture is the standard recommendation. Fresh leaves are used in mojitos, teas, tabbouleh, lamb dishes, chutneys, and Middle Eastern/Southeast Asian cuisine. The carvone-versus-menthol comparison with peppermint is a standard sensory identification exercise. Spearmint is the traditional culinary mint; peppermint is the traditional medicinal/confection mint.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Mentha x piperita (peppermint) by the bright green stems (versus reddish-purple), the wrinkled (rugose) leaf surface (versus smoother), the sweet, warm carvone scent without cooling (versus strong menthol cooling), and the ability to produce viable seed (versus sterile). The crush-and-taste test is definitive: sweet warmth without cooling = spearmint; strong cooling = peppermint. Distinguished from Melissa officinalis by the minty (versus lemon) scent.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Flowers from July through September. Dense terminal spikes bloom over 3–4 weeks. Pollinated by bees and butterflies. Unlike the sterile M. x piperita, spearmint produces viable seed, contributing to naturalization. Cut back before flowering to maximize leaf essential oil content.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lavender to white

Foliage Description

Bright green, ovate to lance-shaped, wrinkled (rugose), with toothed margins and a sweet spearmint scent; sessile or nearly so

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsiltclay

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant divisions or rooted stolons in spring, spacing 18 inches (45 cm) apart. Container culture (3+ gallon) is strongly recommended. In ground plantings, install root barriers to 12 inches (30 cm) depth. Consistent moisture produces the most vigorous growth. Harvest stems before flowering for the strongest flavor. Cut to 2 inches (5 cm) above the crown after first flowering to stimulate fresh growth and prevent seed set. Divide clumps every 2–3 years. In the Pacific Northwest, spearmint grows vigorously in the moist climate and escapes into moist disturbed sites.

Pruning

Cut all stems to 2 inches (5 cm) above the crown after first flowering (July). Cut to ground level in late fall or early spring. Harvest regularly throughout the growing season. Remove any stolons escaping containers or root barriers.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer

Maintenance Level

high

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Plant Spacing

18 inches