Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front

Soil

Acidic / Boggy / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

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.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes
Divideyesyesyes

Mentha and wildlife

Mentha is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Mentha poisonous?

Mentha can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Mentha spicata
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