How to Grow Mint: Mint Plant Care Guide

By: Angela Judd | July 23, 2024

Rub a few mint leaves between your fingers and smell; you can’t help but smile. It smells so good. Mint is an easy-to-grow, hardy, perennial herb grown for its leaves. Learn how to grow mint outside, indoors, and in containers with these five tips.

1. Try several varieties of mint

Add variety to your garden by planting different types of mint.

Peppermint: Compact and low-growing.
Chocolate mint: Dark stem; grows to about 2′ (60 cm) tall.
Pineapple mint: Variegated leaves; aggressive spreader.
Spearmint (Mentha spicata): Handles the heat well and can grow up to USDA hardiness zone 11.

How to Grow Mint: 5 Tips for Growing Mint — Peppermint

2. Know that mint is invasive

A Mediterranean native, mint thrives in temperate regions and is remarkably easy to grow. It often spreads rapidly in garden spaces if not contained. Mint is invasive and quickly spreads within raised beds and open garden areas.

How to Grow Mint: Outside, Inside, and in Containers

Mint sends new plants from spreading roots and horizontal runners with nodes that root down and spread like a ground cover. Don’t plant mint in your garden beds—it will pop up everywhere! To keep mint contained, grow it in its own container or a bed with different mint varieties. Learn more about how to control mint in this article.

3. Plant mint at the right time

Plant mint after the last spring frost date. The ideal soil temperature for planting mint is 55-70°F (12-21°C).

In the low desert of Arizona, plant mint transplants from February to April and again from October to November.

4. Plant and care for mint correctly

Mint is best grown from transplants or cuttings. Seeds are not true to type. Growing mint from seed is not recommended.
Plant mint in fertile, well-draining soil.
Plant mint transplants at the same depth as nursery containers.
Space mint plants 12-18″ (30-45 cm) apart. For square-foot gardening, plant one mint per square foot.
Mint does best in partial shade, especially in hot weather climates like the low desert of Arizona. In cold climates, plant in areas that receive plenty of sunshine.
Mint needs regular water; water when the top inch or two of soil is dry.
Keep mint flowers cut back to encourage leaf production.

Mint may go dormant depending on where you live. In cold climates, it will go dormant over the winter, and in places with hot summers, it will go dormant over the summer. It may look haggard and won’t actively grow when it’s dormant. Leave it alone, as the older growth protects the plant from heat and cold.

As temperatures moderate, you will see it come back to life and see new growth on the base of the stems – that’s the time to cut it back and give it a hard prune. Once a year, after pruning, give it a nice topping of compost. It doesn’t need additional fertilizer

5. How to grow mint in containers

Choose a container with at least 2 gallons (9L) of soil. In hot climates, a small pot will heat up too much for mint to grow well.

Mint grows best in a container by itself or with other mint varieties. Keep the soil evenly hydrated. In hot climates, consider using an olla.

Mint plant care: Cut back at the beginning of each season to encourage new growth and feed container-grown mint with a thick layer of compost. If growth slows or the plant is not growing well, it may need to be divided or moved to a larger container.

6. How to grow mint indoors

Keep mint evenly moist. Do not let mint dry out.
Provide extra humidity by misting the plant with water every few days.
Give the mint light with supplemental lighting for 12-13 hours daily.
The ideal indoor temperature for mint is between 65-70°F (18-21°C).
Feed mint a half-strength fish emulsion dose as needed throughout the growing season.

7. Harvest mint often

Mint leaves are ready to harvest about 30 days after transplant when new growth appears and the plant is 4- 6″ (10-15 cm) tall. When harvesting, cut mint stems back to a pair of leaves. This encourages new branching, and frequent harvesting encourages more growth.

Young tender leaves have the most flavor. Older leaves can become woody. It’s best to use fresh leaves, which can be added to salads, smoothies, and desserts and used as a garnish. They are also a favorite ingredient in tea and can be freeze-dried or dehydrated for preservation.

Here’s an easy recipe: Take 1 cup of cut-up or bruised mint and mix it with a half gallon of water. Chill the mixture in the fridge and then strain it before serving. Serve it over ice.

Fresh mint with watermelon and feta cheese is incredibly refreshing in the summer.

How to Grow Mint: Outside, Indoors, and in Containers

Troubleshooting Common Issues

What to do about yellowing leaves

Check your watering habits. Too much water can cause leaves to turn yellow. If the soil is always moist, it may cause yellow leaves.
Give mint enough sunlight. Aim for at least 4–6 hours a day.
Trim off yellow leaves to encourage new growth.
Grow mint in fertile soil.

How to prevent root rot

Use well-draining soil or a pot with drainage holes.
Water only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. You will water more often during dry spells than during cool, wet weather.

Treating and preventing common mint pests

If needed, apply a mild insecticidal soap and remove heavily infested leaves.
Look for bugs like aphids or spider mites under leaves.
Wash them off with a gentle spray of water.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mint Plant Care

How can I control the spread of mint in my garden?
You can mint in a pot or use a root barrier to keep it in check. Read this post for more tips about how to keep mint from becoming invasive.

Which companion plants work well with mint?
Plants in the mint family, like mint, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, can supply nectar for parasitic wasps. These wasps lay their eggs under the skin of tomato hornworms, which helps keep hornworm populations in check. Growing these herbs near vegetables like peppers and tomatoes gives parasitic wasps a convenient food source and encourages them to stay around to control pests.

Can I grow mint in low-light conditions?
Mint grows best with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight, but it can survive in light shade, especially in hot summer climates. Mint may grow slowly in low light, but it’s usually pretty forgiving.

How do I revive a wilting mint plant?
Check if the soil is too wet or too dry. Give it a good drink if it’s parched, or hold off on watering if it’s soaked. A quick trim of damaged stems can help the plant focus on healthy new growth. Remember, mint won’t look its best during a long, hot summer especially if it is in full sun. Once temperatures moderate in the fall, give the mint a trim to reinvigorate it.