Mentha spicata /ˈmɛntʰa/
Common name: Spearmint · Garden mint · Common mint
Mentha spicata is a perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to Europe and temperate Asia and naturalized worldwide. It grows 30–100 cm tall with square stems, toothed lance-shaped leaves, and slender spikes of pink or white flowers. Its mild, sweet flavor comes from the compound carvone, which dominates its essential oil. It is one of the most widely cultivated culinary herbs, used in teas, sauces, salads, and drinks such as mint tea and mojitos.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Keep soil consistently moist; dislikes drying out
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained; tolerates most soils
Hardiness
Zones 3–11
Mature height
About 30–100 cm (1–3 ft)
Pet safe
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs in quantity (ASPCA)
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Root division or runners are the usual method: dig up a section of root or creeping stem with shoots attached and replant it. Tip cuttings also root in a matter of days in a glass of water or moist compost.
Fun facts
- Spearmint spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes, so gardeners often grow it in containers to contain it.
- Its characteristic flavor comes from carvone, the same molecule that (in mirror-image form) gives caraway its taste.
- It is the traditional mint of Moroccan mint tea and the classic garnish for the mint julep.
- The species name "spicata" means "spiked," referring to its pointed flower spikes.