Mentha spicata
Spearmint
(c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Mentha spicata (Spearmint) is a non-native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with 11 other mint species; distinctive smooth stems and lance-shaped leaves.
Spearmint is a naturalized perennial found in California in moist places, marshes, lakeshores, and fields at elevations up to 2,350 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white to pink or lavender flowers in small dense clusters. Growing with smooth stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it spreads readily in wet environments. Its lance-shaped leaves are 1 to 6 centimeters long, with serrated edges and a rounded base, giving off a distinctive minty fragrance when crushed. The plant forms compact, spike-like flower clusters with ovate bracts surrounding each flower group.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 11 other mint species; distinctive smooth stems and lance-shaped leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places, marshes, lakeshores, fields
Elevation: < 2350 m
California counties: Butte, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Plumas, Santa Clara, Lake, Tulare, Los Angeles, Trinity, San Luis Obispo, Tuolumne, Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Marin, Kern, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Inyo, Amador, Placer, Solano, Orange, Sonoma, Mono, Modoc, San Mateo, Yolo, Yuba, Tehama, Colusa, Alameda, Merced, Sacramento, Napa, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Nevada, Mendocino, Mariposa, Alpine
Outside California: to eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Mentha spicata blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Monardella: Monardella has one pom-pom head per stem; Mentha has multiple clusters stacked at intervals up the stem.; vs Salvia: Sage has flowers in an elongated terminal spike; Mentha has clusters distributed along the stem at leaf joints.; vs Stachys: Hedge-nettle has larger flowers and lacks the classic mint smell; Mentha is aromatic with smaller flowers.; vs Melissa: Lemon balm has flowers all on one side of the stem; Mentha's clusters encircle the stem evenly.; vs Clinopodium: Clinopodium has tiny flowers (pencil-eraser size); Mentha's flowers are noticeably larger and more visible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mentha spicata native to California?
No. Mentha spicata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Mentha spicata bloom?
Mentha spicata blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Mentha spicata grow?
Mentha spicata occurs in Butte, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, Plumas, Santa Clara, Lake and other counties, at elevations of < 2350 m.
What plant family does Mentha spicata belong to?
Mentha spicata is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Mentha.
What habitat does Mentha spicata grow in?
Mentha spicata grows in Moist places, marshes, lakeshores, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.