Herb growing guide
Mint
Mentha spp.
Sun
Full sun
Season
Cool
Maturity
60 to 90 days
Water
High
Soil pH
6.0 to 7.0
Spacing
18 to 24 in
Planting mint
Plant divisions or starts in spring after frost. Grow mint in a pot or a sunken, bottomed container to keep the spreading roots contained.
Planting details
- Containers prevent mint from taking over beds
- Spacing: 18 to 24 inches if planted in the ground
- Perennial in most climates; dies back and returns each spring
Growing requirements
Mint tolerates shade better than most herbs and wants consistently moist soil. Full sun grows the strongest flavor if water is reliable.
Harvesting and care
Cut stems freely all season; plants regrow fast. Shear back hard in midsummer if growth gets leggy or rust-spotted, then feed and water for a fresh flush.
Common mistakes
- Planting mint loose in a garden bed, where it spreads by runners into everything
- Letting it dry out in containers, which drops flavor and invites rust
- Growing different mints side by side, which can blur their flavors over time
Companion plants
Keep mint in its own container. Planted loose, it outcompetes nearly every neighbor it shares a bed with.