Practical
Plants

Mentha spicata

Spearmint

a perennial member of the Mentha genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Mentha
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong spearmint flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[6][17][19][5]. The leaves are often used in 'mint sauce', which is used as a flavouring in meals[13]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[9][5]. It has a very pleasant and refreshing taste of spearmint, leaving the mouth and digestive system feeling clean[K]. An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a flavouring in sweets, ice cream, drinks etc[18][20][5]. A spearmint flavour[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spearmint is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[11]. The herb is antiemetic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, restorative, stimulant and stomachic[17][9][18][10]. The leaves should be harvested when the plant is just coming into flower, and can be dried for later use[17]. The stems are macerated and used as a poultice on bruises[10]. The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[11]. Both the essential oil and the stems are used in folk remedies for cancer[10]. A poultice prepared from the leaves is said to remedy tumours[10].

Product or use
Antiemetic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Restorative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant, the yield is about 4K of oil from 1 tonne of leaves[18][20]. The oil is used commercially as a food flavouring and oral hygiene preparation[13]. The plant repels insects and was formerly used as an strewing herb[1][4][7]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[15].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Environment

Range
C. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Roadsides and waste places, usually in damp soils and sunny positions[17][2][3][16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K]. Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade[17]. Prefers partial shade and a slightly acid soil[17][2]. Often grown as a culinary herb in the herb garden, spearmint is also commercially cultivated for its essential oil, the yields are about 3.5 to 4.5 kilos per tonne of leaves. There are some named varieties[8][13]. Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. The whole plant has a strong spearmint smell. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[14]. A good companion plant for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[1][7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[12].

References

  1. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  2. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

    ↩1↩2

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  4. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  7. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  15. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  16. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  20. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩1↩2

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