Mint Planting Guide
Refreshing, Versatile, Fast Growing and Easy
Refreshing, versatile, easy and perennial - mint plants are must-haves for both casual and serious cooks, and a delight for flower arrangers who prize scented bouquets.
Fond of being able to divide and share plants as they grow larger? Mints are just your kind of plants!
Outdoor Beds
- Mint is less fussy about growing conditions than many plants. Choose a spot where soil is average to moist. For areas with very dry or sandy soil consider planting your mint in a container.
- Site mint where it receives full to half day sun. In shadier sites your mint will probably survive and get a bit leggy.
- Plant the mints at same level as the soil in the pot you receive. Firm soil around the plants.
- Water generously, soaking the soil and settling it around the roots. Water periodically during the growing season as needed. If there's been little rain and your mint plants start to droop, this is usually a sign that they need moisture.
- Feel free to snip stems and leaves to use in cooking and bouquets, leaving at least 1/3 of the plant to continue growing.
- Mint is winter hardy in cold regions. No need to bring indoors except in areas colder than growing zone 3.
Pots, Barrels, Tubs & Urns
- Mint is ideal for growing in mixed herb containers and tubs with annuals and/or perennials. Most any potting soil that includes some peat moss to hold moisture will be fine. (Very sandy cactus soil is not a good choice.)
- Site mint where it receives full to half day sun. In shadier sites your mint will probably survive and get a bit leggy.
- Plant the mints at same level as the soil in the pot you receive. Firm soil around the plants.
- Water generously, soaking the soil and settling it around the roots. Water periodically during the growing season as needed. If there's been little rain and your mint plants start to droop, this is usually a sign that they need moisture.
- Feel free to snip stems and leaves to use in cooking and bouquets, leaving at least 1/3 of the plant to continue growing.
- Mint is winter hardy in cold regions however potted plants will freeze more readily than ones sited in the garden. If in doubt, overwinter your mint pots in a garage that's somewhat warmer than outdoors.
Tips for Growing Mints
- Mint's gotten a bad rap and is sometimes shunned as invasive. We choose to think of it as exuberant. Keep your mint from growing into areas where you'd rather it didn't either by planting in a container or tucking it into a large pot and sinking that into your garden. This will help curtail the underground runners (exuberant roots). Also, keep an eye on branches where they bend over and touch the soil as these sites can develop roots. If this happens, snip off the rooted branches and share with a friend.
- Snip frequently for fuller, more productive plants.
- Check out the endless options for being creative with mint in the kitchen search in terms like "fresh mint recipes" or "fresh mint drinks". Oh yeah, just found one for Mint Ice Cream. Yum.
