Spearmint is a plant which belongs to the Mentha genus. The origin of this plant's scientific name epithet (spicata) means 'bearing spikes'.
Spearmint is used most commonly in the kitchen for mint juleps, sauces, jellies and teas. Spikes of lilac-pink flowers bloom in summer. Attractive in borders and containers. Popular with bees. Very invasive. Take this last part seriously, It will take over your garden if you let it.1
Blooms appear in these approximate colours: Pale lavender and White. Leaves appear approximately as a Kelly green colour. Spearmint is a herb perennial, it will last at least up to several years in its native climate. Spearmint normally grows with a forb habit to a mature height of 45.0 cm (that's 1.46 feet imperial). This plant tends to bloom in mid summer. Try planting Spearmint if you'd like to attract butterflies and bees to your garden. Kentucky Colonel, Mentha Julep, Common, Garden, and Mint Julep are some of the most popular varieties of Spearmint for home gardeners to grow.Spearmint is normally fairly low maintenance and is normally quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is provided throughout the year. Being aware of the basic soil, sun and water preferences will result in a happier and healthier plant.
This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Spearmint have been kindly provided by our members.
How to grow Spearmint
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Partial Sun
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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
Growing Spearmint from seed
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.
Transplanting Spearmint
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
Harvesting Spearmint
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
Companion plants for Spearmint
These plants have been known to grow well alongside Spearmint so consider planting:
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Spearmint likes Beetroot
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Spearmint loves Tomato
Improves the health and taste of tomatoes.
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Spearmint loves Cabbage
Improves the health of cabbage plants and helps deter cabbage moths.
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Spearmint likes Broccoli
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Spearmint likes Brussels sprout
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Spearmint likes Cauliflower
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Spearmint loves Pea
Improves the taste of peas.
Repellent plants for Spearmint
These plants will not grow well with Spearmint so avoid planting these within close proximity:
Common Spearmint problems
These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Spearmint plants:
Spearmint Folklore & Trivia
Used to help digestion.1 Check with your doctor or lactation consultant before using large amounts if breastfeeding.
Other names for Spearmint
Mint
Mentha viridis
Misspellings: Spear-mint, Mint, Mint, Common Mint, Garden Mint, Normal Mint
Latest Spearmint Reviews
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06 May 2013
Ladystar's Spearmint was Reviewed day 11
Just letting yall know who may not, Spearmint takes a good amount of time to sprout if growing from seeds. I suggest growing 1/4 inch down. I think thats why mine took so long to grow. It was the last of my original seeds to sprout, but they are here now.
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26 Apr 2013
JGarfield's Herb: Spearmint 'Kentucky Colonel' was
Reviewed day 5
Nothing like pinching a couple leaves off for the morning tea… Gotta love fresh Spearmint!!
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23 Dec 2011
naturedance's Herb - Spearmint was
Reviewed day 251
Love spearmint… and in a container so it doesn’t take over everywhere. :-)
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02 Nov 2011
El_Bano's Kentucky Colonel Mint was Reviewed day 193
Spreads quickly, although that doesn’t mean large leaves. Will grow in a container next time. Made a good mint julip and reduced the fishiness in fish based soups.
Spearmint care instructions
How long does Spearmint take to grow?
Footnotes
Popular varieties of Spearmint
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