Mint Mentha spicata
Mint (Mentha spicata) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Mint in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mint at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
Is Mint toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, essential oil
Mint can upset the stomach of cats and dogs if eaten in quantity.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mint
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Mint in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6 plants)
Questions about Mint
- How far apart should I plant Mint?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Mint need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mint need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Mint?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Mint flower?
- From about July for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mint poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Mint can upset the stomach of cats and dogs if eaten in quantity.
- What grows well with Mint?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mint. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Spreads aggressively by runners; best contained.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare
- Thai basil Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora