How to Grow Mint
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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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🌿 Plant Overview
☀️ Growing Requirements
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Sun
Partial Shade to Full Sun
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Water
Regular (keep moist)
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Spacing
18" apart
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Depth
0.25" deep
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Height
12-24"
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Germination
10-15 days
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Common Mint Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Spearmint
The classic garden mint with sweet, mild flavor; used in drinks, desserts, and cooking.
Peppermint
High-menthol variety with intense cooling sensation; great for teas and herbal remedies.
Chocolate Mint
A subtle chocolate-mint scent makes this a favorite for dessert teas and garnishes.
Apple Mint
Fuzzy-leaved mint with mild, fruity flavor; more drought-tolerant than spearmint.
Lemon Balm
Lemon-scented member of the mint family; used in teas, salads, and as a bee attractant.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Mint Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Tiny beetles create small round holes in leaves; rarely serious.
Tolerate light damage; heavy infestations can be treated with spinosad.
Stippled, pale leaves with fine webbing in hot, dry conditions.
Increase moisture around plants; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Cluster on new growth; exude honeydew that attracts sooty mold.
Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap; mint's strong scent naturally deters many pests.
Diseases
Powdery orange-brown pustules on leaf undersides; infected leaves drop prematurely.
Remove and destroy infected parts; improve airflow; avoid overhead watering; divide clumps.
White powdery coating on leaves; worse in shaded, humid conditions.
Plant in good airflow; avoid overcrowding; spray with potassium bicarbonate.
Yellowing and wilting of individual stems caused by a soil-borne fungus.
Divide and replant in fresh soil; avoid replanting mint in the same spot for 2–3 years.
Common Mistakes
Mint spreads aggressively via underground runners and will take over a garden bed.
Grow in a container or bury a pot to its rim in the ground to contain the roots.
Cutting stems too short stresses plants and slows regrowth.
Remove no more than 1/3 of the plant at a time; cut just above a leaf node.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟡 ModerateWhen to Harvest Seed
Let flower spikes dry completely on the plant. Harvest before seeds shatter.
Processing
Strip dried spikes over a bowl, seeds fall easily. Dry extra 1–2 days before storing.
Seed Viability
Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Mints cross-pollinate freely — seeds won't grow true to the parent variety. Propagate by cuttings or division for exact flavor.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Mint. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Mint Planting Calendar by Zone
Mint Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Mint? +
Sow Mint seeds directly in the garden 4 weeks before your last frost date. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your location.
How long does Mint take to grow? +
Mint typically matures in about 90 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Mint indoors or direct sow? +
Mint does best when direct sown outdoors. Plant seeds directly in the garden at the appropriate time based on your local frost dates.
How much sun does Mint need? +
Mint requires partial shade to full sun to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Mint? +
Space Mint plants 18 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Mint need? +
Mint has regular (keep moist) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Mint? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Mint is rated moderate. Let flower spikes dry completely on the plant. Harvest before seeds shatter. Strip dried spikes over a bowl, seeds fall easily. Dry extra 1–2 days before storing.
How long do Mint seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Mint seeds remain viable for up to 2 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Mint seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Mint is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Mint
Aggressive spreader—grow in containers! Many varieties including spearmint and peppermint.
Expect your Mint to be ready for harvest in approximately 90 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.