Description
Grow a garden filled with the aromatic Spearmint herb, from freshly harvested Mentha spicata herb seeds. Spearmint is an ancient heirloom that originates from much of Europe. These herbs were introduced into North America in the late 1500's. The plants are fragrant and flavorful, like that of Peppermint. The leaves and oils are used to flavor toothpastes, candies, breath mints and most of all, chewing gum! Growing to a mature height of roughly 2 feet tall, Spearmint will display dozens of bright green, attractive leaves, which are deeply veined. The flowers are pink to purple in color and bloom through the summer months.
Spearmint is categorized as a perennial flowering herb. Perennials will establish a deep root system in their initial year of growth. They then use this root system to return the following Spring season, even after all plant life has wilted on the surface. Mints, such as Spearmint, are known to be rather invasive at times, spreading through underground roots and runners. This leads most herb gardeners to placing it in pots and containers to otherwise contain its growth. The seeds can drop to the bare ground beneath, often times establishing new plant life around its already established parents.
These fragrant plants are known to attract a few beneficial insects to the garden, such as bumblebees & honeybees. Spearmint is also known to deter some pesky insects as well, such as the white cabbage butterfly, as well as mosquito's and fleas. Simply pick a leaf, crush it up and rub it on your skin for a natural mosquito repellant. The oils of Spearmint plants are often times used in invigorating remedies, to promote energy and alertness as well.