Mentha spicata
| Mentha spicata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mentha spicata (common name: spearmint)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K].
Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.
Cultivation: A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade[2]. Prefers partial shade and a slightly acid soil[2][3].
Often grown as a culinary herb in the herb garden, spearmint is also commercially cultivated for its essential oil, the yields are about 3.5 to 4.5 kilos per tonne of leaves. There are some named varieties[1][4].
Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[K].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
The whole plant has a strong spearmint smell.
The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[5]. A good companion plant for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[6][7].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].
Range: C. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat: Roadsides and waste places, usually in damp soils and sunny positions[2][3][9][10].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong spearmint flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[11][2][12][13]. The leaves are often used in 'mint sauce', which is used as a flavouring in meals[4].
A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[14][13]. It has a very pleasant and refreshing taste of spearmint, leaving the mouth and digestive system feeling clean[K].
An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a flavouring in sweets, ice cream, drinks etc[15][16][13]. A spearmint flavour[13].
Medicinal: Spearmint is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[17]. The herb is antiemetic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, restorative, stimulant and stomachic[2][14][15][18]. The leaves should be harvested when the plant is just coming into flower, and can be dried for later use[2].
The stems are macerated and used as a poultice on bruises[18].
The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[17].
Both the essential oil and the stems are used in folk remedies for cancer[18]. A poultice prepared from the leaves is said to remedy tumours[18].
Usage: An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant, the yield is about 4K of oil from 1 tonne of leaves[15][16]. The oil is used commercially as a food flavouring and oral hygiene preparation[4].
The plant repels insects and was formerly used as an strewing herb[6][19][7]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[20].
Pollinators: Bees
Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.
Also Known As: M. viridis.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.