Spearmint will give you the best flavor when it is grown in a full sun location. If you live in a hot area where the soil dries out quickly, add an inch of natural mulch like leaves, grass, or compost to retain moisture.
How much sun does a spearmint plant need?
full sun
Mint grows best in full sun to partial shade, should be planted early in the growing season and is generally hardy to -20° F. Mint prefers moist soil conditions, but excess water will promote root and leaf diseases.
Can Spearmint be kept indoors?
You can grow any type of mint indoors. Try peppermint (Mentha x piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), pineapple mint (M. suaveolens ‘Variegata’), chocolate mint (M.
Is Spearmint a shade plant?
Your mint plant will thrive in full sun (6 to 8+ hours of direct sunlight per day), however, they will grow in areas of part shade (2 to 5 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Can mint grow in low light?
Mint is an herb that grows rapidly. In fact, mint can become invasive rather quickly. The plant is resilient and doesn’t require much sunlight – just three or four hours per day. Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow.
How often should spearmint be watered?
Water mint plants twice a week with a thorough watering so that excess water trickles from the base of the pot or container. Mint plants require the soil to be evenly moist but not saturated to prevent wilting and avoid root rot. If the top inch of the soil feels dry, give your mint plants a good soak.
Does spearmint come back every year?
Mint is frost tolerant. It usually dies back in the winter but comes back in spring. Because mint tends to take over, many gardeners plant mint in a small pot and then plant that pot in the ground or inside a larger container.
How do you care for spearmint indoors?
These plants prefer to be kept moist but not overly wet. If the upper part of soil becomes dry to the touch, then watering is needed. Otherwise, try to keep it evenly moist. Humidity is another important factor, so mist the plant between watering or set the container on a water-filled tray of pebbles.
How do you care for indoor Spearmint?
Basic care for growing mint indoors
- Keep the growing substrate/soil moist.
- Rotate plants in your herb garden every few days to prevent them from bending towards the light.
- Avoid fertilizing plants.
- Pinch or prune plants regularly to keep them from getting leggy.
Do mint plants attract bugs?
The pungent nature of mint deters bugs from making your home their home. Pests like ants, mosquitos, and mice will avoid mint plants whenever possible, and it can also help with other menaces like roaches, spiders, and flies.
Does spearmint keep mosquitoes away?
Spearmint and peppermint are reputed to work well against insects like mosquitoes, flies, and spiders, making them ideal for the backyard garden.
What bugs does spearmint repel?
Spearmint and peppermint are often noted for their ability to repel flies, fleas, and spiders in the garden. One thing to keep in mind when planting mint is that it is an invasive plant and will spread quickly.
Where should I plant my spearmint?
Spearmint prefers part shade and moist soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Mulching around the plants will keep the soil cool and also helps you keep an eye on any errant stems to prevent rooting.
What herb needs least light?
Growing Herbs in Low Light
- Chervil.
- Chives.
- Cilantro.
- Lemon balm.
- Mint.
- Oregano.
- Parsley.
- Sweet cicely.
What herbs dont need a lot of light?
Vegetables and Herbs for Half Shade and Dappled Shade
Herbs include arugula, basil, parsley, dill, chervil, cilantro, chives, garlic chives, watercress, and alpine strawberries. If you are unsure whether you have enough sunlight for these crops to grow well, start small and experiment.
Can mint grow in partial shade?
Mints are vigorous perennials that thrive in light soil with good drainage. Ideally, they prefer a moist but well-drained site, something like their native habitat along stream banks. Most will grow in sun or partial shade; the variegated types may require some protection from direct sun.
Why is my spearmint plant dying?
A dying mint plant is usually because of under watering or as a result of mint that is planted in a pot that is too small and therefore has limited moisture and nutrients. If your mint is wilting and turning brown this is likely because of dry soil and under watering.
How big do spearmint plants get?
about three feet tall
Spearmint plants can reach about three feet tall at maturity, but it can also be low-growing, depending on the amount of light that it receives.
Is spearmint easy to grow?
Spearmint is a hardy perennial up to USDA plant hardiness Zone 5 that grows best in partial shade with well-draining, rich, moist soil and a pH of 6.5 to 7. Mint is easiest to grow from plants, but you can sow seed once the ground has warmed in the spring.
Can peppermint and spearmint be planted together?
However, you can plant different varieties of mint together. Mints such as spearmint, peppermint, catmint, orange mint, and lemon balm can all be grown together in a long container when evenly spread out.
How fast does spearmint grow?
From seeding to maturity, mint takes about 90 days. This means that it will achieve its full height, generally of 1 to 2 feet, and it will be ready to harvest. At this point you can cut mint down to 1 inch above the soil, and it will regrow to harvest height again in a month and a half or so.