Plants

spearmint

Mentha spicata L.

Family: Lamiaceae · Genus: Mentha

garden mint, common mint

Placenta I Ground cover No biomass production 🪓 Coppices after cutting

spearmint — Jon Sullivan · CC BY · iNaturalist

Strongly aromatic perennial Lamiaceae that spreads vigorously by stolons. Pasini lists it in the low stratum of Tabela 3. Tolerates partial shade; use edging to prevent excessive spread.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Ground cover
Strata: Ground cover
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Partial sun
Water requirement: High
Drought tolerance: Low
Waterlogging tolerance: Low
Soil pH range: 6–7.5
Preferred soil texture: Loamy, Sandy, Clayey
Hardiness zones: 4–9
Frost tolerance: -15.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height: 0.2–0.5 m
Recommended spacing: 0.3–0.5 m
Root system: Fibrous
Root depth: Shallow
Growth rate: Very fast
Lifespan: ≤ 5 years
Time to first harvest: 3 months

Biomes & climate

Atlantic Forest Suitable
Cerrado Suitable

Köppen classes

Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Spearmint takes the Ground cover stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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🪴 Cultivation

An aggressive rhizomatous/stoloniferous species — grows on sandy, loamy or clay soils as long as they stay moist and well drained, at mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Prefers constantly moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought. Containers or root barriers buried 30–45 cm curb lateral spread. Full sun favours essential-oil yield but it also thrives in partial shade.

✂️ Management & Pruning

Resprouts vigorously after cutting to the ground; repeated foliage cuts stimulate dense regrowth and are the normal harvest method. Cut back at the end of the cycle to renew the clump.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: February, March

Fruiting months: March, April

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of spearmint?

The first harvest of spearmint comes around 3 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for spearmint?

The recommended spacing for spearmint is 0.3–0.5 m.

How tall does spearmint grow?

At maturity, spearmint reaches 0.2–0.5 m tall.

When does spearmint fruit?

Fruiting of spearmint occurs in March, April.

When does spearmint flower?

Flowering of spearmint occurs in February, March.

What stage and stratum does spearmint occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, spearmint belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the ground cover stratum.

Functions

Aromatic Medicinal Ground cover Pest repellent

Propagation

Cutting, Division

Citations

Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Mentha spicata (height_max_m, ph_min, ph_max, soil_texture_preference, light_need, water_need, drought_tolerance, root_system, root_depth, propagation, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, phenology, waterlogging_tolerance)