Kentucky Colonel Spearmint (Mentha spicata 'Kentucky Colonel')
MEN-thah spih-KAY-tah 'Kentucky Colonel'

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Spreading in the Lamiaceae Family
A large-leaved spearmint with an exceptionally sweet, mild flavor -- a favorite for mint juleps and mojitos.
Kentucky Colonel is a classic spearmint cultivar prized for its large, dark green leaves and sweet, non-astringent flavor -- milder than straight spearmint and a favorite for mint juleps, mojitos, and fresh culinary use. Like all spearmints, it spreads readily by rhizome and is best grown in a container.

Pros

  • Large leaves with an exceptionally sweet, mild spearmint flavor
  • A classic choice for mint juleps and mojitos
  • Fast-growing and reliably perennial
  • Attracts bees and butterflies

Cons

  • Spreads aggressively by rhizome -- best grown in a container
  • Can be prone to rust or leaf spot in crowded, humid conditions
Highlights Considered by many herb growers to be the best-flavored spearmint for mint juleps.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 12 - 24 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 5a - 9b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edible Foliage, Edibles, Fast Growth Rate, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Herb, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Rabbit Resistant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period July to August
Flower Color Lilac To Pink To White
Foliage Color
 

More Info from Experts

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/10
2024 : 02/08 - 06/15
2023 : 04/13 - 06/04

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!