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Mint (Spearmint) is one of the most useful and one of the most aggressively spreading plants in any herb garden, prized for its refreshing flavor and aroma that are distinct from peppermint — lighter, sweeter, with less menthol intensity and a pleasant green quality. Spearmint's leaves contain carvone as their primary essential oil (rather than menthol), giving them a characteristic freshness that is essential in mojitos, mint juleps, tabbouleh, Middle Eastern cooking, and Moroccan mint tea. The plants spread vigorously by underground runners called stolons, colonizing available soil with single-minded determination — in the right conditions, a single plant will fill a garden bed in one season. This spreading habit makes it excellent for ground cover in moist spots where other herbs fail.
The single most important thing to know about growing spearmint: plant it in a container, always. Even a decorative pot sunk to its rim in the ground will contain it sufficiently. Any spearmint planted directly in open ground will spread by underground runners and colonize surrounding areas within two seasons. In containers, use a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep, filled with rich potting mix, and repot every 1–2 years when roots become pot-bound. Spearmint tolerates partial shade better than most herbs — it actually produces larger, more tender leaves in dappled afternoon shade and is less likely to bolt in summer heat. Water consistently; spearmint is one of the few herbs that prefers moist (not waterlogged) soil and wilts dramatically and quickly when stressed by drought. Cut plants back by half every 4–6 weeks to encourage fresh new growth — old stems become woody and less flavorful. Harvest in the morning after dew has dried for the most concentrated essential oils. Divide container plants each spring by splitting the root mass to keep them vigorous.
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