- Botanical name: Mentha spicata
- Common name: Mint
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herb, Perennial
Purple
Silver
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
Garden or common mint, Mentha spicata, is perhaps the most widely grown mint for general kitchen use, its young bright green shoot tips ready just in time for the first peas and early potatoes in June. Like all mints, it’s a vigorous and very hardy perennial, spreading widely by underground runners, which are easily restrained by growing plants in containers.
For best results grow Mentha spicata in rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Mulch annually with well-rotted compost. Plants can be cut back hard just before flowering, and leaves can be frozen for use in winter. In milder regions, leaves should regrow in time for a second harvest.
How to grow Mentha spicata
-
Plant size
100cm height
1.2m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / boggy / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Mentha spicata and wildlife
Mentha spicata is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Mentha spicata poisonous?
Mentha spicata can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Mentha spicata
