🌿 Spearmint

Mentha spicata

herbs Perennial herb Lamiaceae

☀️ Sun

Full sun to partial shade; slightly more shade-tolerant than peppermint

💧 Water

Consistent moisture; keep soil moist

🗺️ Zones

USDA zones 4-11

🧪 Soil pH

5.5-7.5 (prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil; more pH-tolerant than peppermint)

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, moist, well-draining; pH 6.0-7.5

📏 Spacing

18-24 inches (container essential)

📐 Height

18-36 inches

⏱️ Maturity

60-90 days

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ Leaves

Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone

🤝 Companions (3)

🤝 Cabbage/Brassicas

Repels cabbage pests; milder scent still effective.

🤝 Roses

Repels aphids from roses.

🤝 Tomatoes

Deters aphids and other tomato pests.

⚠️ Keep Apart (2)

⚠️ Delicate herbs

Container or barrier essential to prevent takeover.

⚠️ Parsley

Aggressive spreading habit overwhelms parsley.

💊 Medicinal Uses

Conditions Treated

💊 Mild digestive upset (gas, bloating, nausea , gentler than peppermint, suitable for children) 💊 Nausea (including morning sickness , the safer mint for pregnancy) 💊 Hormonal acne (anti-androgenic effects , reduces excess androgens) 💊 PCOS symptoms (reduces testosterone levels , clinical evidence) 💊 Hirsutism (excess facial/body hair in women , anti-androgen) 💊 Fever (mild diaphoretic , promotes sweating) 💊 Headaches (milder than peppermint, suitable for children) 💊 Respiratory congestion (mild decongestant)

Preparation Methods

Mild digestive tea: 1-2 tsp fresh/dried leaves steeped 5-10 min; suitable for children
Spearmint tea for PCOS: 1 cup twice daily (clinical studies used 2 cups/day for 30 days , significant testosterone reduction)
Tincture: 1:5 in 40% alcohol; 2-4ml for digestive or hormonal use
Culinary use: The preferred mint for tabbouleh, mint sauce, and general cooking
Facial steam: Spearmint infusion for acne-prone skin

Active Compounds

⚗️ Carvone (primary , no menthol) ⚗️ Limonene ⚗️ 1,8-cineole ⚗️ Rosmarinic acid

⚠️ Safety

Much safer than peppermint , contains almost no menthol. Generally safe for children and during pregnancy in culinary/tea amounts. However, anti-androgenic effects mean men should limit high medicinal doses. May interact with hormone therapies. Large amounts may affect libido in men.

📜 History & Folklore

🏛️ Ancient

Used by ancient Greeks and Romans. Mentioned by Pliny as 'mentha.' Used to scent bathwater and as a strewing herb.

🏰 Medieval

The most common garden mint of the medieval period. Used interchangeably with other mints. Valued in monastery gardens. Mentioned in early herbals as 'garden mint' or 'our lady's mint.'

🌿 Folk Medicine

The 'gentle mint' of European folk medicine , preferred for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Used for 'summer complaints' (diarrhea in children). Appalachian folk medicine uses spearmint tea for colic in infants.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

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