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Science & Nature • Botany

Spearmint

Spearmint is a perennial aromatic herb in the mint family, scientifically known as Mentha spicata.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a perennial aromatic herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to Europe and temperate Asia and is now widely naturalized in other temperate regions. The plant is cultivated for its distinctive flavour and fragrance, used in foods, teas, chewing gum, and essential oils.

Description

Spearmint is a perennial herb with square stems and opposite leaves. It has a strong sweet aroma and produces small flowers in spikes, typically pink, white, or pale purple. The leaves are lighter in colour and milder in flavour than peppermint. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes.

Distribution and habitat

Spearmint is native to Europe and temperate Asia and has been widely introduced to other temperate regions. It commonly grows in moist soils, fields, streambanks, and pond or lake margins.

Uses

Spearmint is cultivated as a culinary and aromatic plant. Its leaves and essential oil are used for flavouring foods, teas, candies, chewing gum, sauces, and other products.

Cultivation and growth

Spearmint prefers full sun to part shade and moist, rich soil. It spreads vigorously by underground rhizomes, forming dense colonies. This makes it useful as a groundcover but also potentially invasive in gardens.

Key facts

  • Spearmint is an aromatic herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
  • Its accepted scientific name is Mentha spicata.
  • The plant is native to Europe and temperate Asia and is now widely naturalized in other temperate regions.
  • It grows best in moist, rich soils and spreads by underground rhizomes.
  • Spearmint is used as a flavouring in foods, teas, chewing gum, and essential oils.
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Canadian context

Spearmint is widely grown in Canadian gardens and is used in culinary products, teas, and herbal preparations across Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is spearmint?
Spearmint is a perennial herb in the mint family, known scientifically as Mentha spicata.
Where does spearmint come from?
Spearmint is native to Europe and temperate Asia and has been naturalized in many other temperate regions.
How is spearmint used?
It is widely used for flavouring foods, herbal teas, chewing gum, and products made with spearmint oil.
How does spearmint spread?
Spearmint spreads by underground rhizomes, allowing it to form dense colonies.
What kind of habitat does spearmint prefer?
It grows best in moist, rich soils and commonly occurs in damp, sunny or partly shaded places.

References

  1. NC State Extension — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/mentha-spicata/
    Supports: Scientific name, family, native range, habitat, and economic uses
  2. Native Plant Trust — https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/mentha/spicata/
    Supports: Distribution, identification, and traditional uses
  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — https://www.kew.org/plants/spearmint
    Supports: Botanical description, growth form, and flower characteristics
  4. U.S. Geological Survey — https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2671
    Supports: Growth habit, size, leaves, flowers, and habitat preferences
  5. University of Maryland Extension — https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-mint-home-garden
    Supports: Garden cultivation, propagation, harvesting, and culinary uses