It is 30–100 cm (12–39 in) tall, with variably hairless to hairy stems and foliage, and a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome from which it grows.

[9][10] Spearmint flowers in the summer (from July to September in the northern hemisphere),[11] and has relatively large seeds, which measure 0.62–0.90 mm (0.024–0.035 in).

[21] It was introduced into England by the Romans by the 5th century, and the "Father of British Botany", of the surname Turner, mentions mint as being good for the stomach.

[21] John Gerard's Herbal (1597) states that: "It is good against watering eyes and all manner of break outs on the head and sores.

"It is applied with salt to the biting of mad dogs," and that "They lay it on the stinging of wasps and bees with good success."

He also mentions that "the smell rejoices the heart of man", for which reason they used to strew it in chambers and places of recreation, pleasure, and repose, where feasts and banquets are made.

"[22] Spearmint is documented as being an important cash crop in Connecticut during the period of the American Revolution, at which time mint tea was noted as being a popular drink due to it not being taxed.

[23] Spearmint ideally thrives in soils that are deep, well-drained, moist, rich in nutrients and organic matter, and have a crumbly texture.

Other fungi that cause disease in spearmint are Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium dahliae, Phoma strasseri, and Erysiphe cischoracearum.

It can be dried by cutting just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about one-half to three-quarters the way down the stalk (leaving smaller shoots room to grow).

Using spearmint as a larvicide would be a greener alternative to synthetic insecticides due to their toxicity and negative effect to the environment.

Grown in the mountainous regions of Morocco, this variety of mint possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma.

Sweet tea, iced and flavored with spearmint, is a summer tradition in the Southern United States.