How to Grow Mint

Written by David S.

Mint is a fantastic herb. It offers culinary delights, is wonderfully aromatic, and its flowers draw in pollinators like bees and butterflies. Below we cover how to grow mint, its care and soil needs, the many ways to use it, and the different varieties worth considering. You can also browse mint and other herbs in our plant library. Let’s get growing.

Mint belongs to a large plant family (the genus Mentha) with as many commercial uses as household ones. Those range from the swanky mint julep to hard peppermint candies to delightful dried teas. Before we get into the greatness of mint, we need to mention its one bad habit: mint is highly invasive. It spreads fast by underground runners, so the single most important rule is to keep it contained.

How to Plant Mint

Plant mint in a pot or a buried container, because it is invasive and will crowd out everything else if you let it loose in a bed. We recommend always planting mint in a pot or container. The pot will keep mint in its place and still allow the plants to thrive. If you prefer to plant in the ground, sink a root barrier 10 to 15 inches deep around the plant to stop the runners from escaping.

You can grow mint from seed or from a transplant, but in hotter climates transplants are far easier to get started than seeds. Mint seed also does not come true to the parent plant, so the flavor and habit can be a surprise. For a predictable result, start with cuttings or nursery transplants rather than seed.

Give each plant room to fill in. Space plants about 18 to 24 inches apart, or grow one plant per 10 to 12 inch pot. According to the USU Extension, containers are one of the most reliable ways to enjoy mint without letting it become a nuisance.

Does Mint Need Full Sun or Shade?

Mint grows in full sun to part shade, so it is flexible about light as long as it gets at least 4 to 6 hours a day. In most regions mint loves full sun, but in Southern California it often does better with a little afternoon shade, especially in hot inland areas where full afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and dry out the soil.

If you are planting a variegated cultivar, give it afternoon shade. These love plenty of morning sun and then shade through the hottest part of the day. Pair that afternoon shade with steady moisture and the plant will stay lush instead of crisping at the edges.

Mint is hardy across a wide range. It does very well in roughly USDA zones 3 to 11, and it thrives throughout Southern California (zones 9 to 11) when you give it some shade and plenty of water. Guidance from UC IPM notes that mint performs best with consistent care rather than being left on its own.

How Much Water Does Mint Need?

Mint needs more water than most herbs because it is a true moisture-lover. The one rule you cannot break is to keep the soil consistently moist and never let it dry out. Mint is not a forgiving plant, and it will decline quickly if it dries out for long.

In the ground, plan on about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, adjusting up during heat waves and down during cool or rainy stretches. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. In containers, which dry out faster, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. During hot inland spells that can mean watering daily.

When you build the soil, aim for the balance of good drainage and steady moisture. Start with a quality mix and amend it so it holds water without staying waterlogged. A few inches of a water-holding amendment (such as a coconut fiber and perlite blend) in the bottom of the pot gives the roots a reservoir to tap while still letting excess water drain away.

Soil for Mint

Mint needs rich, organic soil that drains well but still holds moisture. It will grow in poor soil, but if you want the full flavor of mint, give it plenty of organic matter. A thin layer of mulch on top helps prevent water loss from evaporation and keeps the root zone cool. Mint prefers a fairly neutral soil with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.0, a range echoed by Clemson HGIC for most culinary herbs.

Here is what to aim for in the soil:

• pH of about 6.0 to 7.0, fairly neutral.
• Well-draining and highly organic, but able to hold water.

A few products help build the perfect soil for growing mint:

1. Black Gold Natural & Organic Raised Bed and Potting Mix is full of good things like earthworm castings, beneficial organisms, and peat moss. It has enough organic material to help mint thrive and enough moisture-holding ingredients to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
2. E.B. Stone Organic Compost is a well-balanced blend that lets the full flavor of mint shine.
3. FoxFarm Original Planting Mix is another excellent choice, full of earthworm castings, forest goodness, and peat moss. You can mix some of their 70/30 water-holding amendment (a blend of coconut fiber and perlite) into the bottom of the pot to balance moisture and drainage.

How to Harvest and Care for Mint

You can start harvesting mint once the stems reach 6 to 8 inches tall, which is usually about 8 to 12 weeks after transplanting. Snip or pinch the stems just above a set of leaves and the plant will branch out and grow back fuller.

Pinch and cut regularly to keep mint bushy. The more often you harvest, the more the plant produces, so do not be shy. For the best flavor, harvest before the plant flowers, and pinch off flower buds as they appear to keep the leaves tender and sweet. In a typical Southern California season you can expect two to three good harvests from a healthy plant.

Beyond harvesting, mint does not ask for much. Keep the soil evenly moist, give it sun to part shade, and refresh the potting mix each year. That steady, simple routine is all it takes to keep a container of mint productive.

Mint Varieties

All mints share the genus Mentha, and there are far more varieties than most gardeners realize. Here are four worth knowing:

• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) has a sharp, cooling menthol flavor and is excellent dried as a tea or fresh-brewed. Use about 1/4 cup of fresh leaves per 2 cups of water, adjusting up or down to taste, and steep for about 5 minutes. There are many mint varieties, so do not be afraid to experiment.
• Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is milder and sweeter than peppermint, and it is the “sweet mint” used in juleps, mojitos, and cooking (the cultivar ‘Kentucky Colonel’ is a classic sweet mint). It is lovely dried or fresh and makes a soothing cup of tea.
• Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) is one of the varieties that is best fresh rather than dried. It is delightful in cold-brewed teas, sorbets, and even cocktails. Add fresh leaves to ice cube trays, fill with water, and freeze for refreshing minty ice cubes in iced tea or water.
• Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is grown as an ornamental and insect-repellent plant only. Important safety note: pennyroyal, and especially its essential oil, is toxic if ingested. The compound pulegone can cause serious liver and kidney injury, and there is no antidote, so pennyroyal and its oil should never be eaten or taken internally. According to the National Capital Poison Center, pennyroyal oil is dangerous even in small amounts. It is also an abortifacient, so pregnant and breastfeeding women must avoid it entirely, and it is toxic to dogs and cats per the ASPCA. Keep it away from pregnant women, children, and pets. Note too that pennyroyal is weedy and invasive, so container it like any other mint.

These are just a few of the many varieties of mint. A mixture of mint plants offers the most uses and is a beautiful way to get to know this lovely herb.

Other Uses for Mint

Beyond tea, mint earns its place for its aroma and its reach in the kitchen. A container of mint growing near a window can refresh your home with subtle minty tones. In cooking, mint is a joy: if you love to grill, there are many ways to work it into rubs for meat, and it brightens everything from salads to desserts to cold drinks.

Dried mint is also lovely in a potpourri mix for bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, and even the car. With so many culinary mints to choose from, such as peppermint, spearmint, and apple mint, you can spend a season sampling them to find your favorites. Just remember that pennyroyal is the exception: enjoy it as an ornamental or insect repellent, but never use it as a culinary or edible mint.

Mint Care Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Botanical name	Genus Mentha: peppermint (M. x piperita), spearmint (M. spicata, incl. “sweet mint”), apple mint (M. suaveolens), pennyroyal (M. pulegium, ornamental only)
Sun	Full sun to part shade (4 to 6+ hours); afternoon shade in hot inland Southern California
Water	Moisture-lover: keep soil consistently moist, never dry; about 1 to 2 inches per week in-ground; containers water when the top inch dries
Soil / pH	Rich, organic, moisture-retentive but well-draining; pH about 6.0 to 7.0
Mature size	About 1 to 2 feet tall, spreading indefinitely by runners
Spacing	About 18 to 24 inches apart, or one plant per 10 to 12 inch pot
Time to harvest	About 8 to 12 weeks, or once stems reach 6 to 8 inches; harvest before flowering for best flavor
Hardiness zones	Roughly USDA 3 to 11; thrives across Southern California (9 to 11) with shade and regular water
Grow in a container?	Yes, mint is invasive; use a pot or a buried root barrier
Best uses	Culinary (tea, juleps, cooking), aromatic; flowers attract bees and butterflies

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you grow mint?

Plant it in a pot or buried container (it is invasive), in full sun to part shade with rich, consistently moist soil. Keep it watered, pinch the stems to stay bushy, and start harvesting in about 8 to 12 weeks.

Does mint need full sun, or can it grow in shade?

Both. Mint grows in full sun to part shade with at least 4 to 6 hours of light. In hot inland Southern California, a little afternoon shade plus extra water keeps it from scorching.

Does mint need a lot of water?

Yes, compared with most herbs. Mint is a moisture-lover: keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out, roughly 1 to 2 inches of water a week in the ground. In pots, water when the top inch dries.

How do you keep mint from spreading?

Grow mint in a container, or sink a root barrier 10 to 15 inches deep around it. Mint spreads fast by underground runners and will crowd out other plants if left loose in a bed.

How long does it take mint to grow?

You can usually start harvesting about 8 to 12 weeks after transplanting, or once the stems reach 6 to 8 inches tall. Harvest before it flowers for the best flavor.

What is the difference between peppermint and spearmint?

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) has a sharp, cooling menthol flavor and is popular dried for tea. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is milder and sweeter, and it is the “sweet mint” used in juleps, mojitos, and cooking.

How do you care for mint outdoors?

Give it moist, rich soil, sun to part shade (afternoon shade in hot areas), and regular water. Pinch it back often to keep it bushy, remove flower buds for better flavor, and keep it contained so it does not spread.

Sources

• UC IPM, Cultural Tips for Growing Mint
• USU Extension, How to Grow Mint in Your Garden
• Clemson HGIC, Herbs
• National Capital Poison Center, Pennyroyal Oil
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Pennyroyal

Ready to start your own mint patch? Stop in to Green Thumb Nursery and shop our extensive herb collection. Inventory changes often, so give us a call if you want a specific plant or product and we are happy to check our stock for you. You can visit one of our five Southern California garden centers to see what is growing this season.

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