Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial, Herb

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Lavender, Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees, Invasive

Design Styles

English Cottage, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

n/a

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Spearmint is a perennial with fragrant, lance-shaped leaves. Flowers appear on dense, cylindrical spikes, with tubular, white, pink or lilac blooms. Like other mints, spearmint spreads by stolons and rhizomes, and so should be planted were its spreading habit doesn't matter or in a place where it can be contained. Spearmint leaves are smaller than peppermint leaves, and have a variety of culinary uses, including jellies, candy, and beverages. Very aromatic foliage. Grows 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads until it is stopped.

Mints grow best in rich, moist soils in full sun to part shade, though not overly wet soils. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. May be sheared after bloom to remove flower spikes and stimulate new vegetative growth. Soil barriers may be used to restrain rhizomatous spread if plants are grown in borders or other areas where spread is unwanted, though, honestly, if spreading is a concern, plant it elsewhere or in a container.