spearmint

Spearmint should be watered frequently, but only lightly. It should be kept consistently moist but not wet. It is best to water early in the day so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. During the summer months, the plant may need to be watered more frequently. In the winter, water lightly about once a week. Overwatering could lead to root rot so be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel') is a perennial herb that thrives in full sun and a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. It should be planted in a sunny location with partial shade, for example, during the afternoon when temperatures are hotter. If planted in a partially shaded area, it may take away from the flavor of the spearmint because it may not have enough hours of sunlight to blossom. As a general rule, the more hours of direct sunlight that spearmint gets, the more flavor it will have. Additionally, the plant should not be exposed to too much cold. It’s best to keep the temperature between 65-75°F (18-23°C). Too much cold could stunt or kill the plant.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel') should be pruned in the early Spring when new growth is beginning to appear, around April or May. Pruning is very important for spearmint plants as they tend to grow quite a bit and can become unruly if not maintained properly. Since it is a perennial plant, it should be pruned to promote fresh and vibrant new growth every year. When it comes to how much to prune, remove about 1-third of the plant's growth. Start by removing any old or tired looking stems and leaves, and then prune back the new growth to the desired length. Be careful not to remove too much of the new growth since this can limit its growth for the remainder of the season. After pruning, be sure to give the spearmint plant plenty of water and light for the remainder of the season.