Appearance
Spearmint is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is 30–100 cm tall, with variably hairless to hairy stems and foliage, and a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome from which it grows. The leaves are 5–9 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, with a serrated margin.The stem is square-shaped, a defining characteristic of the mint family of herbs. Spearmint produces flowers in slender spikes, each flower pink or white in colour, 2.5–3 mm long, and broad. Spearmint flowers in the summer, and has relatively large seeds, which measure 0.62–0.90 mm. The name 'spear' mint derives from the pointed leaf tips.
"Mentha spicata" varies considerably in leaf blade dimensions, the prominence of leaf veins, and pubescence.
Habitat
Spearmint can readily adapt to grow in various types of soil. Spearmint tends to thrive with plenty of organic material in full sun to part shade. The plant is also known to be found in moist habitats such as swamps or creeks, where the soil is sand or clay.Spearmint ideally thrives in soils that are deep and well drained, moist, rich in nutrients and organic matter, and have a crumbly texture. pH range should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
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