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Spearmint · Mentha spicata

Why is my spearmint losing its leaves?

It is less common for spearmint to drop leaves, and it usually happens when the plant is not getting enough light or is suffering from extreme temperature shifts. Check your plant's location first to ensure it is getting enough bright, indirect light.

Check these first

  1. Move the plant to a brighter location.
  2. Check for drafts from nearby vents or windows.
  3. Inspect the soil moisture to ensure it is not bone dry.

Likely causes

  1. Insufficient Light

    Most likely

    How to tell: The stems become long and spindly, and the leaves turn pale before falling off.

    What to do: Move your mint to a spot with at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light. If you are growing indoors, place it in a south or west facing window.

  2. Temperature Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: Leaves drop suddenly after being placed near a drafty window, heater, or air conditioner vent.

    What to do: Keep your plant away from direct airflow from vents or drafty doors. Maintain a steady room temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Find out what's wrong with your spearmint

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

If the plant loses more than half its leaves in a few days, it is likely struggling with its environment. It is normal for a few older leaves at the base to drop as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Provide consistent light and keep the plant away from sudden temperature changes.

Keep your spearmint healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will my mint grow back after losing leaves?
Yes, if you fix the light or temperature issue, the plant will push out new growth from the nodes.
Should I prune back the bare stems?
Yes, trimming back leggy or bare stems will encourage the plant to become bushier.

More problems with Spearmint

Back to the Spearmint guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.