Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.)
↑Summary
A species of mint native to Turkey and the Balkan peninisula, and widely introduced worldwide, including in North America, where it is found continent-wide, but most common in the Northeast.
↑Range - Expand
| Legend | Color |
| Introduced | |
| Introduced or Not Present |
This tentative map is based on our own research. It may have limited data on Canada and/or Mexico, and there is some subjectivity in our assignment of plants as introduced vs. expanded. Read more in this blog post.
↑Habitat
Found in wet areas in full to partial sun and nutrient-rich soil.
In North America, most frequently found where it has escaped from cultivation in gardens; often grows up against foundations of buildings. Occasionally found in wild areas farther from cultivation, such as roadside ditches, wet meadows, and low-lying areas along waterways.
↑Uses
Widely grown as an herb, where it is used both as a fresh herb and dried herb in cooking, and in blending and on its own as an herbal tea.
↑Links & External Resources
• Mentha spicata (Spearmint) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)
• Mentha spicata (Spearmint) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
• Mentha spicata | Go Botany (About This Site)
• Mentha spicata | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)
• Mentha spicata | NatureServe Explorer (About This Site)
• Mentha spicata | Missouri Plants (About This Site)
• Spearmint | Maryland Biodiversity Project (About This Site)
• Mentha spicata (Spearmint) | Minnesota Wildflowers (About This Site)
