Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Spearmint Plant Care
Mentha spicata L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognizable by its bright green, serrated leaves that release a refreshing minty aroma when crushed. Originating from Europe and Asia, it is highly sought after by plant collectors for its culinary and medicinal uses, as well as for its ability to attract beneficial pollinators to the garden.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Spearmint?
Water Spearmint every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Spearmint Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Spearmint?
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Mentha genus. Spearmint is native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east. Spearmint is also known as Garden mint, Common mint, Green mint.
Spearmint displays a spreading, mat-forming herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Spearmint produces small, lilac to white flowers in terminal spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spearmint?
Mentha spicata requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Spearmint Need?
Spearmint thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spearmint Prefer?
Mentha spicata grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Spearmint prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spearmint?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Spearmint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spearmint?
Feed Spearmint every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Spearmint?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Spearmint?
Spearmint can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to apple mint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spearmint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Mentha species (which includes Spearmint). View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Spearmint?
Spearmint is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mint rust. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Spearmint Need?
Spearmint grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3 – 11. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Spearmint is native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3 – 11
Keep exploring plants
Spearmint is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Mentha genus — compare its care with other Mentha species on PlantoScan.
Mentha is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Spearmint thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mentha spicata L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 576 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Mentha species (which includes Spearmint) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3 – 11, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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