// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a cultivated perennial food crop grown for its edible leaf. Family: Lamiaceae (mint family). Originally from Europe & Southern Asia. Hardy in zones 4a–9a. Mature size 1'–2'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Apr–Oct.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Group: crop · perennial
Origin: Europe & Southern Asia · cultivated
USDA zones: Zones 4a–9a
Mature size: 1'–2'
Sun: Sun to part shade
Water: High · moisture-loving
Edible parts: leaf
Harvest (NE OK): Apr–Oct
Garden role: vigorous culinary mint · spreads by runners — grow in containers or edged beds · tea herb

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) — *Mentha spicata* — Spearmint. Photo by Simon Eugster --Simon 13:07, 2 July 2006 (UTC) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: vigorous culinary mint · spreads by runners — grow in containers or edged beds · tea herb. A cultivated food crop — not a native — grown alongside regional natives in Rooted Revival's kitchen-garden and food-forest designs. Harvest windows are for northeastern Oklahoma (USDA zone 7a).

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In a kitchen garden or food-forest guild, spearmint pairs well with: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)), Kale (Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)), Heirloom Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum (Grossum Group)).