Spearmint
Mentha spicata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Zennora Brna
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Mentha
- Species:
- Mentha spicata
- USDA Symbol:
- MESP3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, lavender
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), Leconte's haploa (Haploa lecontei), waterlily leafcutter moth (Synclita obliteralis), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives near water bodies in native habitat
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–16 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Germinates best at 20-25°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI