Is Spearmint the Same as Mint? Differences and Benefits of Both

I believe that friends who like growing some herb plants at home will have kept mint, as it brings a fresh taste to the mouth. However, there is another common herb plant that looks very similar to mint, and that is spearmint. So how can you quickly tell them apart in everyday growing?

Generally speaking, friends who are not very familiar with herb plants will often mistake mint and spearmint for each other, but in fact, as long as you put them together at the same time, they can still be distinguished by their leaves. The leaves of spearmint are thinner and a bit rounder in shape, with a leaf length of about 3 to 7 cm, a width of about 1 to 2 cm, and serrated edges. The leaves of mint, however, are relatively wider and larger than those of spearmint, with a leaf length of 5 to 10 cm, a width of about 2 to 4 cm, and likewise serrated edges. After blooming, both have light purple flowers, but besides light purple, spearmint also has white flowers, a color that mint does not have, while mint, besides light purple, also has light red.
Secondly, they can also be distinguished by their growing environment. Spearmint likes warm and humid environments and has high light requirements; it cannot tolerate partial shade, while mint is relatively more adaptable and can grow in sunny places as well as in partial shade. As for soil, both herb plants are not demanding, but mint tends to prefer well-drained sandy soil.

Finally, they can also be distinguished by how they are used. Spearmint is mainly used in cooking pastries, candies and other such foods, while the stems and leaves of grown mint have a special fragrance, so it can repel mosquitoes and insects, and it is also used as a seasoning, can be used as a spice, and can also be paired with alcohol, brewed as tea, and so on, with effects such as cooling and refreshing and clearing heat.
Overall, although spearmint and mint both belong to the herb plants, they are distinguished by appearance, growing environment and how they are used. Therefore, when choosing to buy, you need to pick the variety that suits you according to your actual needs and care conditions.