Spearmint Plant Care
Mentha spicata subsp. spicata
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Spearmint?
Spearmint grows best in full sun to partial shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Spearmint?
Spearmint (Mentha spicata subsp. spicata) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Mentha genus. Spearmint is also known as Garden mint, Green mint.
Spearmint displays a spreading, mat-forming herb growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Spearmint produces small, lilac to white flowers in terminal spikes.
What Light Does the Spearmint Need?
Spearmint thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
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 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 spearmint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spearmint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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.
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.
More Mentha Species
Other Mentha species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mentha spicata subsp. spicata, family Lamiaceae (first published in Unknown) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Spearmint is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- 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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