Growing Spearmint: Easy Steps for Fresh Herbs at Home

Written by Lars Nyman on

July 20, 2025

Fresh spearmint growing in a garden.

Growing Spearmint

Growing spearmint takes minimal effort, thrives almost anywhere, and rewards abundantly in flavor. To start growing spearmint, plant rooted cuttings or small starter plants in moist, rich soil with partial sun, and keep it regularly watered. With a bit of pruning and containment to prevent wild spreading, you'll soon harvest aromatic leaves perfect for freshening drinks, seasoning dishes, or even soothing homemade teas. Read on for simplified step-by-step instructions that'll keep your mint patch flourishing without fuss.

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Cheatsheet: Homegrown Spearmint Step-by-Step

🌱 Site & Soil

Light: Part shade to full sun (4-6 hrs). Soil: Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter. pH 6.0-7.5.

🛠️ Tools and Products You'll Need

  • Spearmint seeds or starter plant
  • Pot or garden space (at least 8 in/20 cm wide)
  • Quality potting mix or compost
  • Mulch (optional)
  • Watering can or hose
  • Scissors for harvest

🌿 Step-by-Step Planting

  1. Fill pot or bed with moist, loose soil.
  2. Sow seeds Âź in (0.6 cm) deep, or plant starter 2 in (5 cm) below surface.
  3. Firm gently, water well. Keep soil damp but never soggy.
  4. Place in bright spot (avoid harsh midday sun if possible).
  5. Thin seedlings to 6 in (15 cm) apart for airflow.
  6. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

💧 Water & Feed

Water 1-2x per week, more in heat. Fertilize monthly with balanced organic feed.

✂️ Prune & Harvest

Snip tops early and often (4-6 in/10-15 cm high) to encourage bushiness. Heavy harvest May–September. Harvest up to ⅔ at once—regrows fast.

🐝 Health, Nutrition & Sustainability

  • Rich in antioxidants, iron, vitamin A.
  • May soothe digestion, boost focus.
  • Supports pollinators, deters some pests.
  • 100% self-sufficiency: grows back year after year.

📈 Intriguing Stat

1 plant yields up to 3+ cups (70 g) per month with regular picking.

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Why Grow Spearmint at Home?

I first stumbled onto spearmint at a dusty street market in Marrakech, where glass cups brimmed with steaming tea and fragrant sprigs. Immediately hooked by its bright scent, I brought seeds home, planted my first batch, and I've had fresh mint ever since.

Spearmint grows with startling ease, making its rapid spread both its greatest trait and challenge.

Choosing the Right Spearmint Variety

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) belongs to the expansive mint family, boasting roughly 24 identified species and numerous varieties within each species (Royal Horticultural Society). My favorite varieties for flavor and vigor include:

  • Kentucky Colonel: Vigorous, perfect for juleps and lemonade.
  • Moroccan Mint: Classic tea companion—strong, clear flavor.
  • Apple Mint: Mild, fruity aroma ideal for salads and garnishes.

Picking the Perfect Spot

Sunlight matters. Spearmint naturally thrives in partial shade to full sun, needing about 4-6 hours of daily sun exposure for peak aroma and flavor. Choose a bounty of sunshine for fuller leaf growth and bolder scent.

Spearmint spreads aggressively—believe me, it means business—so container gardening helps keep it contained and accessible. I prefer wide, shallow pots to let the roots comfortably stretch, without taking over neighboring plants.

Planting Spearmint: Easy as Pie

Mint is forgiving. But even easy-going plants appreciate a good start. Here's my trusty method:

  1. Find well-draining soil with organic matter rich content (think compost-enriched potting mixes).
  2. Sow seeds lightly atop moist soil or plant young cuttings about 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
  3. Water gently and regularly to ensure steady growth without sogginess.

A quick anecdote: once, distracted by work, I planted spearmint cuttings upside-down. Remarkably, they rooted anyway. Mint's determination is legendary.

Optimal Temperatures for Spearmint

Spearmint performs best within a temperature sweet spot of 55°F–70°F (13°C–21°C). Cold-resistant down to about 5°F (-15°C), spearmint may go dormant in chilly winters, only to reemerge heartily in spring's warmth (Purdue University Extension).

Caring for Your Spearmint

Spearmint demands minimal fuss. Keep the soil moist—not wet—by watering softly when the top inch (2.5 cm) feels dry. Allow good air circulation for healthier foliage and pick leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Every spring, I gently prune my spearmint down to a manageable 3 inches (7–8 cm) high. Trust me: pruning invigorates mint, sparking fresh, bushy growth that delights garden and cook alike.

Spearmint Troubleshooting: Pesky Problems & Solutions

Even spearmint occasionally struggles. Keep an eye out for common issues:

  • Powdery Mildew: Improve air circulation, prune affected stems, and water the soil (not leaves) consistently.
  • Aphids & Spider Mites: Rinse pests off with water or treat plants with insecticidal soap weekly.
"Studies indicate spearmint essential oil exhibits antifungal, antibacterial, and insect-repelling properties, helping explain mint's resilience in diverse climates."—Botanical Society of America

Harvest & Enjoy Your Homegrown Spearmint

Harvest at daybreak, when essential oil concentration is highest (Iowa State University Horticulture). Pinch leaves or clip stems—both methods keep the plant productive.

Freshly picked spearmint elevates culinary efforts—sprinkled in yogurt dips, muddled in cocktails, or infused in soothing teas. Each sip or bite reconnects me to that first Moroccan market encounter; refreshing, vivid, memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Spearmint

How much sunlight does spearmint require?

Spearmint thrives best in partial shade to full sun. Too little sunlight suppresses growth and flavor, while scorching midday sun can stress your plants. Provide around 4 to 6 hours of filtered sunlight daily, and your mint will flourish vigorously.

What's the best soil type for planting spearmint?

Plant your spearmint in soil that drains freely yet retains moisture—think rich, loamy earth. Avoid stagnant, soggy conditions as this spells disaster for your mint's roots.

How frequently should I water spearmint plants?

Spearmint appreciates consistently damp—but never drenched—soil. Aim to water deeply once the top inch feels dry to your touch, adjusting frequency according to your local climate and rainfall.

Can spearmint grow indoors?

Absolutely. Spearmint flourishes indoors with ample natural light and steady airflow. Set pots near a bright window, keep them moist, and pinch back leaves regularly to encourage bushy, aromatic growth.

What's the ideal method for harvesting spearmint?

For the best flavor and vigorous regrowth, harvest spearmint leaves regularly by pinching or cutting stems just above leaf nodes. Frequent harvesting leads to bushier plants and abundant foliage, perfect for culinary adventures and aromatic brews.

How do I control spearmint's aggressive spreading habit?

Spearmint spreads with gusto; keep it contained by growing it in pots or sinking barriers around the root zone. Regular pruning and harvesting likewise keep its adventurous spirit under control.

Will spearmint survive the winter outdoors?

In moderate climates, spearmint withstands winter's bite with ease. In harsher environments, mulch generously for insulation or move pots indoors to safeguard against frost damage.

Growing spearmint isn’t complicated, but it pays off in spades. Give it a pot or patch of soil, steady moisture, and a bit of afternoon shade, and you’ll have fresh, aromatic leaves all season. Pinch tips to keep plants bushy, and don’t be shy about harvesting—it only encourages more growth. Spearmint spreads fast, so containers help keep it in check. Snip leaves for your tea, salads, or cocktails and let the scent remind you that sometimes, the simplest herbs are the most rewarding. If you’re hungry for more easy and fragrant herbs, lemon balm and perilla are solid picks. Good soil, regular water, and a little attention—spearmint never asks for more, and always gives back.

The Money Saver's Guide to Growing Spearmint

Spearmint Savings at a Glance

  • Store-bought fresh spearmint: average price $1.99 per ounce (€1.80/28 grams)
  • Homegrown spearmint: approximate cost reduction of 90% per season
  • Spearmint plants typically yield harvestable leaves for 3–5 seasons, further increasing savings yearly

Picking Pots and Containers

  • Repurpose containers: reuse old watering cans, large metal cans, or food-grade buckets, ensuring drainage holes are added.
  • Upcycled raised beds: convert discarded pallets or untreated lumber into low-cost raised beds.

Cost-Efficient Soil Choices

  • DIY compost: turn kitchen scraps, leaves, and coffee grounds into nutrient-rich soil amendments.
  • Bulk purchase option: share bulk potting mixes with fellow gardeners for discounted pricing.

Propagate to Multiply Savings

Spearmint readily roots from stem cuttings placed in water. Once roots appear (within 1–2 weeks), transfer cuttings to containers or gardens, exponentially reducing plant expenses over time.

Preserve Harvests for Year-Round Savings

  • Air-dry spearmint bundles upside-down in a ventilated, shaded spot for 7–10 days, then store dried leaves in airtight glass jars.
  • Freeze chopped leaves in ice cube trays topped with water or oil to extend shelf life for soups, sauces, and drinks.

Economical Pest Control Strategies

  • Spray spearmint plants with diluted neem oil (1 tbsp per quart/1 liter of water) to deter pests naturally and cheaply.
  • Plant spearmint near cabbage or tomatoes to repel common garden pests, reducing pesticide use and costs.

Spearmint's Nutritional Bonus

Spearmint harvested at peak freshness retains beneficial antioxidants, fiber, vitamin A, iron, and manganese, enriching homegrown diets affordably.

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