Partial Sun
Medium
Although hardy, it survives as an underground root system in winter, so leaves must be preserved to have supplies in winter.
Keep cutting plant down to encourage fresh young shoots
Cut down in the late summer for a fresh flush of leaves before winter.
If pot grown, mint will need watering well and fertilising in the growing season. Top up the compost as the season progresses
Sowing from seed is possible, but whenever a cutting can be used, use it.1
Place the seed on the surface of the compost and do not cover, cover with a plastic bag and keep reasonably warm at between 20 and 25C until germination which can take up to 21 days. Do not exclude light as this helps germination, grow on at cooler temperatures.
When seedlings are large enough to handle pot up individually into 7cm pots and grow on in cooler conditions. Plant out after frost has passed. It would be wise to restrict the growth by planting in a pot, as the roots spread, invade and regenerate from the smallest section of stem or root
Alternatively plant up in a large flower pot and keep on solid ground to prevent the roots escaping. It will need more care in a pot.
Good for mint sauce, chopped and added to wine vinegar and a tiny amount of sugar. For a change, mix chopped leaves with lemon juice and a drop of honey.
Chop an add to new potatoes or fresh peas. This mint is used for mint tea.
Use fresh young leaves, to encourage these trim the plant periodically
It is easier to start from cuttings than from seed
These estimates for how long Spearmint takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average 11 days | Min 3 days | Max 25 days (40)
Average 22 days | Min 14 days | Max 62 days (2)
Average 64 days | Min 7 days | Max 818 days (28)
Used to help digestion.1 Check with your doctor or lactation consultant before using large amounts if breastfeeding.
Mint, Hortelã
Mentha viridis
Misspellings: Spear-mint, Mint, Mint, Common Mint, Garden Mint, Normal Mint