How to Grow Mint

easyGardening60-90 days6 steps

Safety Warnings

Mint is highly invasive and can spread rapidly through runners, potentially overtaking other garden plants.

plastic or ceramic pot — 10-inch diameter with drainage holes

stainless steel hand trowel — standard garden size

potting soil — high-quality nutrient-rich mix(as needed for 10-inch pot)

mint plant — starter transplant or seeds(1 plant per pot)

Prepare a containment system to prevent the plant from spreading runners throughout the garden.

Tip: The key is to contain the plant's roots strictly.

Select a 10-inch pot with adequate drainage holes.

Tip: Using a pot ensures the mint remains contained whether kept above ground or sunk into the earth.

Fill the pot with potting soil and plant the mint transplant or seeds.

Tip: Allow the plant sufficient room to grow up to one or two feet tall.

Water the plant regularly, as mint requires more water than many other herbs.

Tip: Keep soil consistently moist to support vigorous growth.

Monitor growth and prune as needed to maintain a height of one to two feet.

Tip: Pruning encourages bushier growth.

Harvest leaves for culinary or medicinal use once the plant is established.

Tip: Mint can be used fresh or dried.

Always plant mint in containers to stop it from invading other garden beds.
Avoid planting mint near plants with low water requirements, such as Desert Sun.

Synthesized from 9 verified sources:

Old Farmer's AlmanacView →

Wind River Greens Plant DatabaseView →

Gutenberg: Manual of GardeningView →

Wind River Greens Plant DatabaseView →

GrowstuffView →

Wind River Greens Plant DatabaseView →

Gutenberg: Farm Gardening GuideView →

GrowstuffView →