Herb Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 4 - 9
- Height: 12 - 36 inches
- Bloom Season: Early summer
- Bloom Color: Lavender
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.5
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 60 - 70F
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: 1/8 inch
- Sowing Rate: 3 - 5 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 18 inches
Spearmint (Mentha Spicata) - Sweetly aromatic, Spearmint, can be used in both cooking and in potpourri and other fragrant decorative items. Spearmint is used to make mint jellies and sauces and of course, tea! Spearmint also has medicinal benefits as well. It is a wonderful addition for the garden that can easily be started with Spearmint herb seeds.
This perennial grows to 3 feet tall and spreads rapidly to indefinite widths. The 2 - 3 1/2 inch lance-shaped leaves are a unique wrinkled texture. Oblong terminal spikes of lavender-pink flowers appear all summer. Like other mints, spearmint is extremely easy to grow. In fact, it grows so well, it is best to confine it to containers.
Start Spearmint seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks prior to last spring frost or sow herb seeds directly outdoors in partially shaded, moist, soil. Sow this herb seed only 1/8 inch deep in loose soil. Transplant the Spearmint seedlings when they reach 2 inches tall. Harvest leaves when the plant reaches 12 inches tall. Pick the larger outside leaves as the plant grows to encourage more leaf growth. Young leaves and stems have best flavor. Dry mint leaves on trays or by hanging bunched branches upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Fresh leaves are easy to freeze too.
Approximate Seeds Per Ounce: 470,000
