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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Ordering live plants online is a gamble — even a healthy-looking listing photo doesn’t guarantee the plant will survive a box, a truck, and your mailbox. A great spearmint order depends on a few specific things: how many plants you get, how they’re packed, and how forgiving the seller is if something arrives damaged. This guide walks you through five live spearmint options, comparing plant counts, pot sizes, and hardiness so you can pick the one most likely to thrive in your yard.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
if you want a fragrant patch for tea or a fresh garnish for summer drinks, this guide to the best spearmint plants delivers honest picks with the details that matter for a thriving herb garden.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Spearmint Plants
Spearmint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, but the way you buy it matters more than the way you care for it. When you order live plants by mail, the plant’s condition on arrival decides everything. A healthy root system and a sturdy pot beat a tall, leggy stem that’s been crushed in shipping.
Start With Plant Count and Pot Size
Mint spreads quickly, and a single vigorous plant can fill a container within one season. Keep in mind that a three-pack isn’t automatically better than a two-pack — what really matters is the size and health of each individual plant when it reaches you. Larger pots (4-inch versus 2.5-inch) generally mean a more established root system, which handles transplanting and shipping stress better.
Check Hardiness Zones For Your Climate
Spearmint is a perennial, meaning it comes back year after year from the same roots in the right conditions. Different sellers guarantee different zone ranges, so match the plant to your local climate before buying. If you live in a zone colder than the plant’s range, you’ll need to treat it as an annual or bring it indoors for winter.
Know What Happens If a Plant Dies
Live plants travel badly sometimes, no matter how good the seller is. Before you order, check whether the company offers a replacement or refund policy. The most confident sellers will replace a plant that doesn’t survive, which takes the risk out of your purchase.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Plant Count | Pot Size | Hardiness Zone | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FixtureDisplays 3-Pack Mint★ Best Overall | Budget-friendly start with replace guarantee | 3 | — | 5-11 | Amazon |
| Clovers Garden SpearmintAlso Great | Large, established plants with strong roots | 2 | 4-inch | All US Zones | Amazon |
| 3 Kentucky Colonel Spearmint | Big harvests of fragrant mojito mint | 3 | 3.5-inch | 4-11 | Amazon |
| Smoke Camp Crafts Organic Mint | Companion planting and tea lovers | 1 | 2.5-inch | — | Amazon |
| Bonnie Plants Spearmint 4-Pack | Indoor pots and pet-friendly patches | 4 | — | — | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. FixtureDisplays 3-Plant Mint Spearmint Live Plant
The budget-friendly three-pack with a no-return replacement promise — mint that multiplies, if you’re patient.
At the entry level of this list, you still get three individual plants with roots, and the listing is refreshingly honest about what to expect: plant size varies from a couple of inches to 5 inches or more, and in winter you’ll receive tender roots rather than leafy plants. That last point is important — if you order in cold months, don’t panic when a leafless plug arrives; you keep watering for 3 weeks and new stems should sprout.
The seller addresses the live-plant risk head-on with the most reassuring policy on this list: if a plant doesn’t survive, no return is needed — they’ll replace it. That takes real risk off the buyer, and the reviews reflect both sides — some buyers literally found their 3 plants became 4 thanks to quick spreading, and loved the smell and value, while a few received dead plants. The plants are organic and non-GMO, grow well indoors or out, and can reach up to 2 feet tall with white or light purple flowers that draw bees.
Why it’s the budget pick
- Three plants at the lowest cost on this list
- Replacement guarantee without needing a return
- Organic, non-GMO, perennial in zones 5-11
- Real pest-deterrent benefits against wasps and ants
Set your expectations
- Wintry deliveries arrive as bare roots, not leafy plants
- Arrival quality has varied widely; some orders arrived dead
- Full size takes a few months to reach
Choose this when: you want the most plants for the least money, and you value a seller that will replace a plant that dies without making you ship it back.
One thing to know: this is a grower’s project, not an instant herb patch — give the small roots a few weeks of daily watering and they should take off.
2. Clovers Garden Spearmint Mint Herb Plants
The most reliable start for new mint growers, thanks to its established 4-inch pots and sturdy root system.
This pair of spearmint plants arrives already 4 to 8 inches tall in true 4-inch pots — a far more established size than the tiny plugs some sellers ship. The roots get the real attention here, with the seller highlighting “10x Root Development,” which means a healthier root ball that handles transplanting better and grows stronger right from the start. That’s the single most important trait for a plant that’s about to travel in a box.
The plants are grown in the Midwest and ship in an eco-friendly, 100% recyclable box with careful packing. Buyers report that even during a heat wave with temperatures at 100 degrees, the spearmint plants arrived in good condition, packed well, and looking healthy. The fact that the brand ships to any US zone and includes a copyrighted Quick Start Planting Guide makes this the friendliest option for beginners who are nervous about killing their first herb.
What wins people over
- Larger 4-inch pots mean less transplant shock
- Non-GMO with no neonicotinoids
- Strong root development for vigorous growth
- Sells with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
The honest trade-offs
- Only two plants per order compared to three from other picks
- Several owners reported wilted or frail arrivals, though many others got perfect plants
- Treat as a tender annual in Zones 9 and colder
Reach for this if: you want the most beginner-friendly experience with genuinely established plants, a detailed planting guide, and a seller that stands behind the product.
Think twice if: you’re in Zone 9 or colder, where you’ll need to treat these as a tender annual instead of a permanent perennial.
3. 3 Kentucky Colonel Spearmint Herb Plants
A fragrant three-pack of the classic mojito mint that owners mention grows fast in full sun.
This is the mint for drinks — ‘Kentucky Colonel’ is a well-known culinary variety of Mentha spicata, and the seller markets it specifically for mojitos. You get three live plants, each in its own 3.5-inch square pot, which is a 50% bigger count than the Clovers Garden pair above. The plants are rated for USDA zones 4-11, so they’ll survive winters across a wide swath of the country and come back each year.
The flavor reputation is the headline, but buyers mention the vigor too — a few report healthy, large plants that grew 2 inches in just 1.5 days after arrival, and one owner says theirs are thriving in the New Mexico sunshine, which is a tough climate for many herbs. Full sun and regular watering are all they ask for. There’s a risk to note: a handful of orders arrived with plants close to dead, so the shipping experience can vary, though the same confident customers note the mint is worth reviving.
Why it earns its spot
- Three plants for a bigger, faster harvest
- Classic mojito variety with strong fragrance
- Hardy in zones 4-11
- Grows quickly once settled
Watch for
- Arrival condition is inconsistent; some plants arrive stressed
- Prefers sandy soil and full sun for best results
Best for: cocktail lovers who want a genuine Kentucky Colonel variety and enough plants to actually use for mojitos all summer.
A fair warning: the risk is in the delivery, so order when you can pot them up immediately and be ready to pamper them if they arrive stressed.
4. Organic Mint Plant, Spearmint by Smoke Camp Crafts
A single, carefully grown organic plant from a woman-owned West Virginia farm, prized for tea and companion planting.
This isn’t the pick for maximum plant count — you get one spearmint plant in a 2.5-inch pot. What you’re paying for is a premium, sustainably harvested heirloom plant grown in the foothills of the Allegheny mountains in central West Virginia. The seller is Smoke Camp Crafts, a WBENC certified woman-owned business, and they ship from a region known for genuinely good mint-growing conditions.
Where this plant really shines is as a companion — spearmint helps berry bushes and fruit trees thrive when planted nearby, according to the seller. The brand also includes a free e-book called “Using and Growing Herbs” along with a bookmark, which is a generous touch for tea lovers. Buyers who got healthy plants report abundant new growth in just 3 days and a wonderful fragrance. The genuine drawback: this is a smaller plant, and the experience splits sharply between buyers who got thriving growth and those who received tiny, dying plants.
Why it’s premium: organic heirloom stock, mountain-grown in West Virginia, with a free herb guide included and a replacement-or-refund promise if you’re unsatisfied.
The single catch: it’s one small plant in a 2.5-inch pot — buy it for quality and provenance, not for instant harvest volume.
5. Bonnie Plants Spearmint Live Herb Plant — 4 Pack
A four-pack of aromatic spearmint that’s pet friendly and tolerates low light for indoor growing.
This is the pick for people who want mint in their kitchen or on a tabletop. Bonnie Plants markets this spearmint for indoor growing with part shade and low light tolerance, and it’s noted as pet friendly — a meaningful detail if you have a nibbler in the house. You get four plants, which is the highest count of any pick here, though they ship as young plants rather than the larger, established pots from the top pick.
The brand’s description highlights a strong, minty flavor and fragrance, ideal for both hot and cold drinks, and suggests crushing the leaves to release the flavor. Since mint spreads quickly and can otherwise take over a border, the seller recommends containers — which suits the indoor angle perfectly. Reviewers point out the plants arrive intact and vibrant in sealed containers, and some report the growth is fast enough to take over the area they intended, which is exactly what you want from a vigorous spearmint.
What you get
- Four plants for the money
- Pet friendly and fine with part shade
- Handles light frosts
- Fast growing and spreading once established
What to expect
- Younger plants can arrive small, and an occasional shipment has black or burnt leaves
- Container growing is strongly recommended to control spreading
Grab it if: you want to grow spearmint indoors on a windowsill, need several plants at once, or share your home with pets.
Keep this in mind: one buyer’s fourth plant was thriving while two of the same four looked burnt — individual plant condition varies, so inspect each one on arrival.
Understanding the Specs
Pot Size and Root Development
The pot size tells you how established a plant is before it ships. A 4-inch pot holds a much larger root ball than a 2.5-inch pot, which means the plant has more stored energy and handles transplanting stress better. Sellers who brag about root development, like the 10x claim from Clovers Garden, are telling you the plant is built to survive the move to your garden.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Spearmint is a perennial, but “perennial” is relative to your climate. Hardiness zones tell you whether the plant will survive your coldest winter temperatures. A plant rated for zones 4-11 will come back year after year across most of the US, while a plant in a zone outside its range needs to be treated as an annual or brought indoors.
FAQ
Why did my spearmint plant arrive looking dead or wilted?
Will spearmint come back every year in my garden?
Is it better to buy 2 large plants or 3 small ones?
Can I grow spearmint indoors?
What does “tender roots” mean when my plant arrives in winter?
Which spearmint variety is best for making mojitos and tea?
How much sun does spearmint really need?
What should I do right after my spearmint plants arrive?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the best spearmint plants winner is the Clovers Garden pair because it delivers the most established, beginner-friendly plants with a replacement guarantee and a planting guide. If you want three plants in bigger harvest-friendly numbers, grab the Kentucky Colonel 3-pack. And if your goal is an indoor, pet-friendly herb patch, the Bonnie Plants 4-pack is the one to reach for — with the budget FixtureDisplays option as your cheapest way to start if you’re comfortable nursing bare roots.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.