Mentha spicata aka Spearmint

Taxonomy

Spearmint (Mentha spicata), also known as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, is a species of mint native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east, and naturalized in many other temperate parts of the world, including northern and southern Africa, North America, and South America. Easy to grow and used both fresh and dry, Spearmint has no rivals among the herbs you can cultivate. Named for its spear-shaped leaves, it is commonly used in herbal medicine, flavoring in food and jelly, herbal teas, cocktails, and aromatic oil in cosmetics. Its essential oils may be toxic in enormous quantities, but also have anti-microbial properties, may be as effective as penicillin!

Common names

Spearmint, Wild Mint, Garden Mint

How to care for Spearmint

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Spearmint is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Spearmint should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Spearmint loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Spearmint requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Wild Mint is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Spearmint to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Spearmint is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Spearmint does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Spearmint as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Spearmint’s native range is Worldwide.

Flower

Yes, if you provide your Spearmint with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.


More info:
Wikipedia