Spearmint (Mentha Spicata) - Sweetly aromatic, Spearmint, can be used in both cooking and in potpourri and other fragrant decorative items. Spearmint herb is used to make mint jellies and sauces and of course, tea! Spearmint also has medicinal benefits as well. It is a wonderful addition for the garden that can easily be started with Spearmint herb seeds.

This perennial grows to 3 feet tall and spreads rapidly to indefinite widths. The 2 - 3 1/2 inch lance-shaped leaves are a unique wrinkled texture. Oblong terminal spikes of lavender-pink flowers appear all summer. Like other mints, Spearmint plants are extremely easy to grow. In fact, they grow so well, it is best to confine them to containers.

How To Grow Spearmint From Herb Seeds: Start Spearmint seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks prior to last spring frost or sow herb seeds directly outdoors in partially shaded, moist, soil. Sow the herb seeds only 1/8 inch deep in loose soil. Transplant the Spearmint seedlings when they reach 2 inches tall. Harvest leaves when the Spearmint herb plant reaches 12 inches tall. Pick the larger outside leaves as the plant grows to encourage more leaf growth. Young leaves and stems have best flavor. Dry mint leaves on trays or by hanging bunched branches upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Fresh leaves are easy to freeze too.