Mentha Species, Common Spearmint, Garden Mint, Lamb Mint, Mackerel Mint

Menthaspicata

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Mentha (MEN-thuh)
Species
spicata (spi-KAH-tuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Shiny/Glossy
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Pink
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From softwood cuttings
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Auburn, Alabama

Tucson, Arizona

Amesti, California

Corralitos, California

Elkhorn, California

Hawthorne, California

Interlaken, California

Long Beach, California

Merced, California

Oak View, California

Pajaro, California

Watsonville, California

West Hollywood, California

Aurora, Colorado

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Jacksonville, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida

Largo, Florida

Longwood, Florida

Loxahatchee, Florida

Miami, Florida

Saint Augustine, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Gainesville, Georgia

Roswell, Georgia

Honomu, Hawaii

Kurtistown, Hawaii

Chicago, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Wichita, Kansas

Ewing, Kentucky

Franklin, Louisiana

Independence, Louisiana

Marrero, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

Oakland, Maryland

Middleville, Michigan

Pinconning, Michigan

Barnum, Minnesota

Grand Portage, Minnesota

Hawley, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Brandon, Mississippi

Blue Springs, Missouri

Rolla, Missouri

Carson City, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Greenville, New Hampshire

Hackettstown, New Jersey

Bronx, New York

Deposit, New York

Union Springs, New York

Columbus, North Carolina

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Glouster, Ohio

Lancaster, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Milford, Pennsylvania

Millville, Pennsylvania

West Warwick, Rhode Island

Westerly, Rhode Island

Bluffton, South Carolina

Prosperity, South Carolina

Clarksville, Tennessee

Soddy Daisy, Tennessee

Allen, Texas

Bedford, Texas

Belton, Texas

Boerne, Texas

Brownsville, Texas

Carrollton, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Danbury, Texas

Fabens, Texas

Houston, Texas

Humble, Texas

New Braunfels, Texas

Palestine, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Spring Branch, Texas

Terlingua, Texas

Leesburg, Virginia

Colville, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Morgantown, West Virginia

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
3
neutrals
2
negatives
Sort By:
Sort By:
L
| March 2017 | neutral

I don't get it I always thought Mentha spicata as mentioned here was spearmint, but another entry says M x suavis is spearmint?

P
Lynnwood, WA | April 2015 | positive

I am trying to grow this mentha from seed from pinetreeseeds. I used seed growing medium and put two to there seeds per cubical. under fl...Read More

N
Columbus, NC (Zone 7b) | April 2013 | positive

Yes Spearmint can be invasive so you need to make sure it is be controlled in either a restricted bed or a pot. It is worth the effort be...Read More

J
Bluffton, SC (Zone 8b) | April 2013 | positive

Having this plant to use in drinks and for cooking makes it worth a little extra effort to contain. If you want to plant it in the garde...Read More

B
Prosperity, SC (Zone 7b) | June 2011 | positive

Growing in a 24 inch container with, thyme, oregano, and lettuce. Keeping it pruned and drying the leaves has been a great experiment fo...Read More

T
Houston, TX | December 2010 | negative

Mistake putting this in the garden with other herbs... it took over.

J
J
Divernon, IL (Zone 5b) | December 2009 | positive

Mine are regulated to a portion of the garden left to grow wild, it competes with dayflower, ivy, and Chinese Lanterns holding it's own. ...Read More

B
Milwaukee, WI | April 2008 | neutral

ive grown 2 different spearamint plants one was really leggy an didnt spread much nor did it survive the winter outdo...Read More

K
Bedford, TX | May 2007 | positive

Extremely invasive if you don't curtail it's growing to a container - will easily overtake and choke out other plants. On a lighter note,...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

Excellent in tea or as tea. Be sure to keep it contained! Cut back often to prevent flowering and encourage new growth. Seed is slow to germinate.

F
Honomu, HI (Zone 11) | June 2004 | positive

Spearmint, called Yerbabuena in Spanish is the traditional mint to use when making the Cuban "Mojito" rum drink.

Grows wel...Read More

C
Rolla, MO | June 2004 | positive

Makes a gorgeous "bush" type plant depending on how you trim it up. Mine reach 2 1/2 feet tall each year, I stay on top of it often not ...Read More

C
C
Tennille, GA (Zone 8b) | March 2003 | positive

No garden here is complete without Nana or mint! It is used in greensalads, tea, and on vegetable trays. Wonderful in a sandwich .... Fet...Read More

L
L
| March 2003 | negative

Be aware, this plant will take over a large area. I made the mistake of planting this in my garden two years ago without realizing how in...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | January 2003 | neutral

Like all the mints, spearmint readily crosses, so does not come true from seed. The cultivar 'Kentucky Colonel' is one of the best for f...Read More

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