Herb · Lamiaceae family
spearmint
Mentha spicata
In short a 10-second read
Spearmint (herb) grows to 0.3–0.6 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in July–September; the flowers are white or pink. Sow in March. Plant out in March–April, September–October. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: a lot
Soil: loamy, humus-rich, clay, sandy
Soil pH 6–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
July–September · white or pink
Pruning
harvest regularly (April–October); cut back to the ground (November–March)
Sowing
sow indoors: March
Planting out
container plant: March–April, September–October
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does spearmint flower?
In July–September; the flowers are white or pink.
When do I sow spearmint?
In March (sow indoors).
Does spearmint tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does spearmint need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.3–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.
Does spearmint survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (8)
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