Mint is another culinary herb that needs to be part of your pantry. It’s a versatile ingredient used in many cuisines around the world. So today we will learn how to grow you own endless supply of mint.
Its sharp taste and strong aroma is something you’d definitely notice in any dish. Good thing I’m teaching you how to grow mint today.
There’s nothing wrong with store-bought mint but you just have to try a fresh-picked mint to know what you’re missing out.
Plus, with such a usable plant like this, it’s so convenient having it around near the kitchen. Just pick the leaves you need for the day and that’s it.
Imagine having your very own free ‘unlimited’ fresh supply of mint. All the recipes you can try! Plus you can just sneak in this herb in any of your usual recipes for that slight kick and minty aroma.
I especially like putting mint in my ginger lemonade. It’s so refreshing. You might want to add on your usual salad dressing or in your basil pesto! The possibilities are endless.
But before all that goodness, you first need to grow one yourself. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Grow You Own Mint at Home
Mint is a beginner-friendly herb to grow. It’s a fast-growing herb that requires very little maintenance (just regularly watering them) and a very rewarding plant to have around.
Compared to other plants, this one can be grown even with little knowledge about gardening.
But of course, I’m going to give you all the information about it so you can successfully grow one in your home garden.
Planting Mint
When is the best time to plant mint?
To start off, you need to check your calendar and your local frost date. As always, timing is important in gardening.
The best time to plant mint is in the spring or in the fall. Preferably in areas that have frost-free climates.
I’ve seen my mint plants perform really well in cool temperatures. Once established, it can even tolerate a light frost.
Note: tolerate. This plant will certainly die in extremely cold temperatures. Though some came back once the warm weather started again.
But again, just to be sure, plant in spring or fall. This is a fast-growing herb so you’ll have an established plant in no time!
How do I start a mint plant?
You can grow mints from seeds or transplants. If you’re looking to grow a specific mint variety, you can opt for a baby plant or seedling packs.
Just make sure you buy one from a trusted seller. You want a healthy transplant that’s free from any diseases.
This will ensure a faster time for the plant to establish on the final location you’ll decide upon. You can buy a transplant from a local garden center.
If you want a faster option where you can check customer reviews for extra assurance, try buying one online.
This young mint plant from Amazon comes from a reputable store, inexpensive and got great reviews! If you wanna try growing a transplant, I recommend that one.
But if you want a more inexpensive method, try growing mint from seed. That’s what we’re doing today. I want you to experience how easy it is to grow mint from scratch. And shortly, you’ll have another addition to your herb garden!
Just like with the transplants, you need good fresh quality seeds.
Did you know that there are some diseases that may even come from low-quality seeds? You might have encountered seeds that came from an already infected plant unknowingly and you definitely don’t want that.
Get seeds from a reliable source. Check your local garden center or the hardware store for a fresh packet of seeds.
I’ll link the one I used for this growing guide to help you choose. And one packet is enough, no need to over-buy.
Should I grow mint in a container or grow it in the ground?
Here’s the thing. Mint is indeed a very easy plant to grow. It’s low maintenance, fast-growing and very rewarding.
What’s kinda tricky is not on how you grow them it’s on how to keep them in their proper place.
See, mint has a tendency to be invasive. It has aggressive growth habits due to its runners that travel under the soil creating new plants.
If planted directly in the garden ground, it will eventually spread and might even take over your whole garden.
That’s why it’s recommended to grow them in containers. Mine is grown in pots! It’s even more convenient this way since I can just place it near my kitchen for easy access.
Get a pot that is approximately 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Don’t use containers that are overly shallow. The roots may reach the drainage, clogging up your soil. Even in containers, I don’t recommend setting them on the ground.
If possible, don’t even let your container touch the garden soil.
Mint is just notoriously invasive and may escape through the drainage holes. I don’t want you to have that problem in the future. Place it on a pedestal or any paved surface.
How do I prepare the soil?
Mint thrives in rich and moist soil. A slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is recommended. You can test your soil at a local garden center or have it tested at your local government soil testing lab.
Proper soil preparation goes a long way. This will assure that your plant will have the best soil growing conditions.
To prepare the soil for the container here’s what you’ll need; 30% organic compost, 30% fine sand or perlite and 40% garden soil (with the conditions mentioned earlier).
Mix them together. You now have the soil mix perfect for growing mints. Alternatively, you can buy a normal potting mix perfect for seed-starting. I’ve tried this one before and got great results. It’s a reliable mix for sure.
Fill the container with the soil mix. Firm the soil by patting it with your hands. Make it flat for an even surface. Water generously. You need the soil moist for planting.
See? It’s easy! Now we’re ready for planting.
How do I plant the mint?
Planting the seeds is easy but make sure you do it during a relatively warm or sunny day.
Follow those steps:
- All you need to do is sow the mint seeds ¼ inch deep in the soil.
- Spread them out evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd them.
- Cover the seeds with the same soil mix.
- Pat and firm the soil again.
- Water gently.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny spot where it can receive full sun or partial shade.
We’re not gonna be strict with the spacing at this point. I need you to focus on getting these seeds to sprout and root. We’ll discuss spacing more on later on the thinning stage.
Wait for the seeds to germinate, it will only take 10 to 15 days. When the seedlings emerge, it’s time to thin them out.
Now you’ve successfully seed started the mint!
Growing Mint
How and when do I thin my mint plant?
Once you see the seedlings having 2 to 3 true leaves they’re ready to be transplanted at their final location.
If you used an elevated garden bed, pick out the healthiest seedlings, make sure the roots are intact. Allow 2 feet of space between rows for growth.
For the pots, pick out the healthiest seedling and place it at the center of the pot. Plant it just beneath the soil surface. Be careful not to damage the roots.
How and when do I prune my mint plant?
Once you see buds appearing on your mint plants, don’t be afraid to pinch them out.
When you let your mint to flower, it will diminish the mint leaves’ taste and fragrance. During this time, the plant’s focus will be on its flowers and not on the leaves.
In order for the plant to have a longer time for leaf growing, cut the buds out.
If there are flowers that bloomed without you noticing, cut at about half point of the stem to allow for new growth.
It’s also essential to trim your mint plants to the ground just before winter. Don’t be afraid to cut them to within an inch of the ground.
This is especially when planted in an elevated garden bed outside. When grown in pots, you can just bring your plants inside and prune them as needed.
How much water does my mint plant really need?
Consistent soil moisture is key for a successful mint in containers. Growing plants in containers require more water than when growing plants in the ground.
During the growing season, water regularly. Give the plants 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Check for the weather and soil conditions and adjust the amount of water when needed. Remember, mint wants it moist in wet. Overwatering is a big NO as it often leads to diseases. You can always sink your finger in the soil to check for moisture.
I suggest you add mulch around the plant to keep moisture in the soil.
How often does my mint plant needs to be fertilized?
The best time to fertilize your plant is in early spring! Apply a slow-release fertilizer into the soil. Incorporate this during the plant’s earliest days.
One application is all you need. It will give your mint the adequate nutrients it needs.
You can apply one teaspoon of a 16-16-16 fertilizer to a plant once growth resumes in spring. Preferably wait for about a month, before feeding this second batch of fertilizer.
Overfertilizing your plant can lead to diseases.
How much sun does my mint plant need?
Select a location where your mint can receive at least 6 hours of full sun or partial shade. If you’re growing a variegated variety such as pineapple mint, full sun may scorch its leaves.
Keep it away from direct sunlight and place it in an area with partial shade.
But most mints will thrive in any area with full sun to partial shade. Maybe place it near the kitchen so you can have more access.
Which climate better suits mint? (Best Hardiness Zones)
Mint thrives in cool temperatures. As said earlier, it can even tolerate a light frost. This perennial herb is generally very hardy, it can tolerate temperatures down to -29°C (-20°F). It will thrive in USDA Hardiness zones 3 to 9.
How long does it take to grow mint?
When grown from seed, it will take 90 days for your mint plant to reach the optimum height for harvest. At this point, expect your plant to have grown 1 to 2 ft tall. You can do multiple harvests in just a single season.
What are the common diseases and pests that could ruin my mint plant and how do I avoid it?
For me, the worst problem growing this plant is its aggressive growth. This invasive plant can and will spread quickly in open garden areas. And mint can out-compete most of the plants in your garden if you let it be.
Good thing we planted them in containers right? But even if we did skip out on that problem there are still a few obstacles left. Don’t worry though. Proper watering and sunlight conditions can minimize or even eliminate most of these problems.
Here are some of the common diseases and pests of mint:
- Verticillium Wilt
The initial symptom of this disease is the yellowing of the leaves starting at the margin.
Eventually, affected leaves will curl up and die.You can prevent this by not over-fertilizing your plants.
However, if you think your plant is suffering from this, you need to control it. Stop it from spreading to other plants by removing the infected mint plants immediately.
I also suggest you rotate planting areas each growing season. - Mint Rust
Check the underside of the leaves for small whitish spots. They’re slightly raised that will eventually turn reddish orange or brown. If you see one, it’s most likely Mint Rust.
Avoid this problem by watering your plants in the morning or before mid-day. Do this so you won’t have wet leaves overnight. If possible, you should practice drip irrigation.
- Anthracnose
You can spot this disease when you observe the mint leaves and stems having small water-soaked spots.
The best way to control this is by rotating planting areas. Remove diseased plants immediately out of your garden. And remember to prune your healthy plants to the ground in Fall. - Cutworm, Flea beetles, and Aphids
Mint has natural pest-repelling properties, mainly due to its strong scent that pests hate. There’s a small chance of pests ruining your plant but if you do see one here’s what to do.
First things first, I don’t really recommend using insecticide. This is a culinary herb. You’ll eat the mint leaves so it’s best not to expose it with heavy chemicals. If you see these pests around your plant. Remove them by hand.
You can also spray your plant with a soapy solution or even with just a jet of water to remove the insects. Depending on the pest, use row covers in spring or use a plant collar/trap for individual plants.
Don’t worry, you got this! If you followed the guidelines above you’ll hardly encounter any of this. Just remember, regular watering and pruning goes a long way for mint. Also, do keep the foliage dry.
What other crops could I plant together with my mint to maximize my garden space?
Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time gardener, you need to be familiar with the plants that grow best together with your mint.
In order for optimum growth for all the plants in your garden, you should know about companion planting.
If you’re new to this, the idea behind companion planting is simple. There are certain plants that are better when grown together.
Some of the benefits they can get from each other include natural pest control, higher crop yield and shade protection for sun-sensitive plants.
Mint’s smell may be appealing for us but certain pests really hate it. This is why mint is such a great companion plant for all types of crops.
For example, planting mint next to carrots help deter the carrot flies. The same goes for tomatoes – helps steer away aphids from them.
Here is a list of ideal plants to grow near mint:
- Tomatoes
- Radish
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Cilantro
- Cauliflower
- Kohlrabi
- Brussel Sprouts
- Bell Peppers
- Squash
But remember mint is an invasive plant so practice companion planting with caution.
What are the crops that will not go well with mint?
You can clearly see that there’s a whole bunch of plants that would benefit being planted together with mint.
But again, do remember that this is a very aggressive grower, it may just take over your whole garden.
If planting in the garden ground, make sure it has a barrier. A sunken container will work, just see to it that this invasive plant wouldn’t get to places it shouldn’t be.
If it does start to spread, make sure to pull most if out immediately.
Trust me, you don’t want this herb to take over your whole garden (yes it can do that if you let it spread out).
Now, just as there are plants that are good neighbors for your mint, there are bad ones as well.
Don’t plant mint near parsley, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Their soil, sun and water conditions just don’t match well together.
Planting them near each other just doesn’t help any plant.
Harvesting Mint
How do I harvest mint and when is the best time to do it?
We’re finally at the last stage! If you’ve reached this point, it’s safe to say that you’ve successfully grown your mint plant. But just to be sure, I’ll tell you when’s the best time to harvest mint.
When you see your mint plants reach 3 to 4 inches in height, you can start harvesting. You can harvest these fresh mint leaves throughout the growing season. As long as your plant is that tall.
But, don’t just start cutting out of nowhere.
I’ve seen that the best time to pick the leaves is when it’s sunny. I suggest you do it late in the morning. Get a sharp knife or your handy scissors to remove the mint leaves and stems.
Pick out the youngest ones. The more tender it is, the better it tastes.
Once you’ve picked out the youngest and tenderest leaves and stems, cut the stems at about 1 inch from the soil.
However, if you are harvesting mint leaves with the intention of drying them, it’s best to pick them out just as the flowers begin to appear.
That’s it! Simple right? Make sure you frequent harvest your plant. This really helps the mint to grow more leaves and that’s what you want. Especially since the younger leaves are the best.
Just pick the leaves as you need them and use them for all kinds of recipes!
Next, we’ll store your fresh-picked leaves. So you can enjoy them for a long time.
What is the best way to store the mint that I have harvested?
In the last part of our growing guide, I’ll be talking about how to store mint. This will probably be the easiest part of the journey.
You can store your fresh mint in the refrigerator for up to a week. It should be placed in water to keep it fresh.
There are two ways to store your mint. You can do it by either drying or freezing them.
- If you want them dried, get the fully grown stems and leaves you’ve harvested and bunch them up. Get a clean piece of string and tie the stems to make a small bunch. Find a hot and shady location. Hang them upside down and leave them there until completely dried.
You want them brittle.
Alternatively, spread the cuttings on a screen in there to dry. Once dried, store your mint in an airtight container for up to a year.
- If you want them frozen, here’s what to do. First, know that individual mint leaves do not really freeze well so you need to chop them. Once chopped, place the mint leaves in an ice cube tray with water.
Once thawed, you’ll see how doing so helped maintain its taste.
We’ve finished another growing guide! Join me again next time as we continue to fill your garden with all kinds of plants and vegetables!
FEATURED TABLE
| Botanical Name | Mentha spp. |
| Plant Type | Herb |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Type | Loamy |
| Soil pH | Slightly Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | White, pink, purple |
| Hardiness Zones | 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 |
