Mentha spicata

RHS Plant Profile

spearmint

Other common names

common mint, garden mint, garden spearmint, green pea mint, lamb mint, mackerel mint, Mary's herb, sage of Bethlehem, mintys ysbigog

Synonyms

Mentha spicata 'English Lamb Mint'
Mentha spicata 'English Lamb'
Mentha viridis

Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary

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A vigorous rhizomatous perennial forming an extensive colony of upright, four-ribbed stems, up to 100 cm tall and wide. Typically sweet-scented leaves are oval shaped, with pointed tips and serrated edge. Leaves are bright green, 5-9cm long and 1-3cm wide. Light purple flowers 2-3mm small are produced in interrupted, slender terminal spikes in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
Genus: Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe to China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil, in any situation. Water newly planted mint until established, and in summer if grown in pots. In damp soils, the plants have the potential to become a nuisance so restrict the root run in a deep container and plunge into the ground, or plant in a well-chosen site where it can grow unrestricted. Plants grown in pots will benefit from splitting and dividing every few years. For more information see mint cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Harvest young sprigs regularly to encourage bushy growth and cut back to 5 cm from the base after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to sage leafhopper, blue mint beetle and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust