Mentha spicata
Spearmint, Common mint, Garden mint, Lamb mint, Sage of Bethlehem
Also known as Mentha viridis
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.9m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is the common culinary mint most often experienced in the company of roast lamb, whilst the ancient Greeks used it to perfume the arms. Many houses have their clump of mint, often poked into the most difficult environment that can be conceived in an effort to constrain its excesses.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Rabbits
- Rabbits generally ignore
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - mid-late · Planting
Cut back when straggly
When plant begins to look straggly, cut the trailing stems back by half their length or more to retain a compact and appealing habit.
Found in
More Mentha
Mentha
Mint
Mentha aquatica
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Mentha longifolia
Horse mint, Long leaved mint, Biblical mint
Mentha longifolia subsp. capensis
South African horse mint
Mentha pulegium
Pennyroyal, Pudding grass
Mentha spicata var. crispa
Curly mint, Spearmint, Garden mint, Lamb mint, Sage of Bethlehem
Mentha suaveolens
Apple mint, Egyptian mint, Pineapple mint, Woolly mint
Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'
Variegated apple mint, Apple mint, Egyptian mint, Pineapple mint, Woolly mint