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Your cart is empty.Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) are two of the most beloved and widely cultivated members of the mint family, each offering distinct flavors and uses. Peppermint, a natural hybrid of spearmint and watermint, is renowned for its dark green, slightly serrated leaves and a potent, cooling menthol flavor that makes it a staple in teas, candies, and aromatherapy products. Spearmint, often called the "classic mint," features brighter green, wrinkled leaves with a sweeter, milder taste, perfect for culinary applications like mojitos, desserts, and garnishes. Both are perennial herbs that thrive in temperate climates, spreading eagerly through underground runners, which makes them as prolific as they are popular. Growing peppermint and spearmint from seed requires patience, though they’re more commonly propagated via cuttings or division due to slow germination. For peppermint, sow seeds indoors in early spring, pressing them lightly into a moist, well-draining potting mix without covering them, as they need light to germinate; maintain a temperature of 70-75°F (21-24°C), and expect sprouts in 10-20 days. Spearmint follows a similar process—surface-sow seeds in a seed tray with rich, moist soil, keeping it warm and lightly misted until germination occurs within 7-14 days. Once seedlings reach 3-4 inches, transplant them outdoors after the last frost into fertile, well-drained soil with partial shade to full sun, spacing them 18-24 inches apart to account for their vigorous spread. Water consistently to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth, yielding fragrant, flavorful herbs throughout the season.