1 named cultivar

‘Spearmint’Spearmint

perennial

Spearmint

The Story

Plant Bio

Mentha spicata, spearmint, is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial herb from Europe and Asia, twelve to twenty-four inches high. Bright green lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges sit in pairs on square stems, and slender tapering spikes of small pale lilac flowers open through summer and autumn.

It runs by underground rhizome and will take over a bed within two seasons, so the standing advice is to grow it in a container — and a pot sunk into the ground still escapes through the drainage holes, so stand it on a hard surface. It is the mint for cooking, milder and sweeter than peppermint, and NCSU rates it resistant to deer, rabbits, heat, humidity, pests and disease alike.

Uses & Benefits:

Fresh bright green aromatic foliage with soft lilac flower spikes in summer.

The standard culinary mint, milder than peppermint, used fresh or dried in tea, sauces and drinks.

Bees and butterflies work the flower spikes heavily if it is allowed to bloom.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

24 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe to China

Toxicity

Non-toxic; leaves are edible

Planting

How to Grow

Grow it in a container, not open ground.
Stand the pot on a hard surface, not on soil.
Give it sun or partial shade and moist soil.
Harvest often; picking keeps growth young and tender.
Cut back hard after flowering for a fresh flush.
Divide and repot every year or two.

Pro Tip

A pot sunk into a bed still escapes through the drainage holes — stand it on paving if you actually want it contained.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow it in a contained pot 🪴
Harvest often to keep it tender ✂️
Cut back hard after flowering 🌿
Divide and repot yearly 🔁

Don't

Plant it in open ground ❌
Sink the pot into soil ❌
Let it dry out completely ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Harvest

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Culinary herb in containersDamp ground where spreading is acceptablePollinator planting in a contained bed

Companion Plants

Parsley Chives Lemon Balm Thyme Oregano

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Spearmint questions

What zones can Spearmint grow in?

Spearmint is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Spearmint deer resistant?

Yes — Spearmint is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Spearmint bloom?

Spearmint typically blooms in summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Spearmint need full sun?

Spearmint does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.