How to grow Mint

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Mint with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Plant in mid-spring after the last frost, or in early autumn in warm climates. Mint spreads vigorously, so early establishment gives best growth.

🌰 How to plant

1. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and moist soil.
2. Plant seedlings or rooted cuttings 30–45 cm apart, or start from runners/rhizomes.
3. Water gently after planting and keep soil moist for the first 2 weeks.
4. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress competing weeds.

💧 Care

• Pinch off flower buds regularly to encourage bushier leaf growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody.
• Water consistently, especially during dry spells; mint dislikes drought but rots in waterlogged soil.
• Divide or repot every 2–3 years to rejuvenate plants and prevent overcrowding.
• Feed with a balanced fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the growing season for vigorous growth.
• Contain mint in pots or raised beds; it spreads aggressively and can crowd out other plants.

🧺 Harvest

Pinch off leaves and tender stems as needed, harvesting from the top to encourage branching. For larger harvests, cut stems just above leaf nodes in early morning when oils are strongest; the plant will regrow quickly.

🐛 Common problems

Spider mites: Spray leaves with water to dislodge mites, or apply insecticidal soap if infestation is severe.

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage, and remove affected leaves; apply fungicide if needed.

Root rot: Ensure soil drains well and never allow plants to sit in standing water; repot in fresh soil if roots are affected.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Tomatoes, Cabbage, Beans, Chamomile

⚠️ Keep apart from: Parsley, Fennel

More herbs guides