How to Grow Mint: Planting, Care and Harvest Without Letting It Take Over
How to grow mint in the garden, on the patio and in containers: the best types of mint, growing mint in pots to stop it spreading, simple mint plant care, and how to harvest mint for the best flavor all season.
Affiliate disclosure: This guide links to our buying guides, which contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Mint is one of the easiest herbs you can grow. It sprouts back every spring, tolerates some shade and gives you fresh leaves for tea, drinks, salads and sauces for months. The only real challenge is its enthusiasm: planted in an open bed, mint spreads quickly and can take over a border in a single season.
This guide explains how to grow mint outdoors without the headaches. You will learn which types of mint to choose, why growing mint in pots or buried containers works so well, what mint plant care really involves, and how to harvest mint so the plant keeps producing fresh, tender growth all summer.
Why Grow Mint?
- Comes back every year as a hardy perennial
- Grows in sun or partial shade
- Very easy to propagate and share
- Flowers attract bees, hoverflies and other pollinators
- Fresh leaves for tea, drinks, salads and sauces
- Spreads aggressively by underground runners
- Different mints can cross and lose their flavor when grown from seed
- Prone to mint rust in humid, crowded conditions
- Becomes woody and less productive after a few years
Types of Mint
There are many types of mint, each with its own flavor. Utah State University Extension lists peppermint and spearmint as the most widely grown, alongside culinary mints such as ginger mint and pineapple mint:
| Mint | Flavor | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spearmint (Mentha spicata) | Fresh, sweet, mild | Mojitos, salads, sauces, lamb dishes |
| Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) | Strong, cooling, menthol | Tea, desserts, chocolate pairings |
| Chocolate mint | Peppermint with a cocoa-like note | Desserts, hot drinks |
| Apple mint | Soft, fruity; fuzzy leaves | Fruit salads, iced tea |
| Pineapple mint | Mild, fruity; variegated leaves | Drinks, decorative pots |
| Moroccan mint | Clean spearmint flavor | Traditional mint tea |
| Ginger mint | Mild with a warm note | Fruit dishes, drinks |
Buy plants rather than seed if you want a specific flavor. Mint grown from seed is often not true to type, and named varieties are usually propagated from cuttings.
Where to Plant Mint
- Light: full sun to partial shade. In hot summers, afternoon shade keeps leaves tender; variegated mints can scorch in strong sun.
- Soil: moist, rich soil with plenty of organic matter. Utah State University Extension recommends rich, moist and slightly acidic soil.
- Space: plants spread to 2 feet or more, so give each one room.
- Location: close to the kitchen or patio, so you can pick leaves easily.
- Away from other herbs: keep mint separate from thyme, sage and other herbs that need drier soil.
The UC IPM program recommends at least 4 to 6 hours of sun a day, well-drained soil with a pH of about 6.0 to 6.5, and drip irrigation rather than sprinklers, so the root zone stays moist while the leaves stay dry.
Growing Mint in Pots and Containers
Growing mint in pots is the easiest way to enjoy mint without it taking over. The University of Illinois Extension strongly suggests growing mint in containers above ground.
| Container | Advice |
|---|---|
| Size | At least 12 inches wide and deep; larger pots dry out less quickly |
| Material | Terracotta breathes but dries fast; glazed or plastic pots hold moisture longer |
| Drainage | Drainage holes are essential, even for a moisture-loving herb |
| Potting mix | Good-quality potting mix with some compost |
| Location | A patio, balcony or step where it gets morning sun |
| Repotting | Divide and repot every spring or two, as roots fill the pot quickly |
Do not stand pots of mint directly on soil or lawn: the runners escape through the drainage holes and root into the ground. Place them on paving, a saucer or pot feet.
Growing mint in pots also keeps different types of mint apart, so their flavors stay distinct. For more container tips, see our guide to growing herbs, vegetables and flowers in pots.
Growing Mint in the Ground (Without It Spreading)
If you prefer mint in the garden bed, contain it. Utah State University Extension recommends separate beds or buried containers that stick out 3 to 4 inches above the soil and reach 10 to 15 inches below the surface.
- Use a large plastic pot or bucket with the bottom cut out, or a section of plastic edging.
- Keep the rim above the soil, so runners cannot creep over the top.
- Check the edges every few weeks and pull any runners that escape.
- A dedicated corner bed, edged with paving, also works well.
Planning a herb bed? A raised bed makes containment easier; see how to build a raised garden bed.
How to Grow Mint: Planting Step by Step
Starting from seed? Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep, as Utah State University Extension advises, and thin the seedlings once they emerge. Keep in mind that seed-grown plants may not taste like the parent variety.
Mint Plant Care
| Task | How | When |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Keep the soil evenly moist; mint in pots may need water daily in summer | Whenever the top inch feels dry |
| Feeding | One application of slow-release fertilizer or compost | Spring |
| Pinching | Pinch off stem tips to keep plants bushy | Throughout the season |
| Flowers | Cut off flower stems for the best leaf flavor, or leave some for pollinators | Summer |
| Cutting back | Cut the whole plant back after flowering for fresh growth | Mid to late summer |
| Dividing | Lift, divide and replant the healthiest outer pieces | Every 3 to 4 years, in spring |
If you want to know how to grow mint that stays lush, good mint plant care is mostly about water and harvesting. Utah State University Extension notes that overwatering promotes disease, so aim for moist, not soggy, soil, and water at the base of the plant. See how often to water your garden for general watering advice.
How to Harvest Mint
Knowing how to harvest mint keeps your plants productive. Utah State University Extension advises harvesting once plants are 3 to 4 inches tall and cutting stems back to about 1 inch above the soil; established plants give two to three main harvests a year.
- Small harvests: pinch or snip the top few leaves of each stem as you need them.
- Large harvests: cut whole stems just above a pair of leaves; new shoots grow from that point.
- Best flavor: pick in the morning, after the dew has dried.
- For drying: the University of Illinois Extension recommends harvesting just as the flowers begin to appear.
- Harvest often: the more you cut, the more new growth the plant produces.
Clean, sharp scissors or pruners make the job easy; see our gardening tool sets guide.
Drying, Freezing and Storing Mint
| Method | How | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| In water | Place stems in a glass of water, like flowers | 3 to 7 days |
| Refrigerator | Wrap dry leaves loosely in a paper towel in a bag | About a week |
| Air drying | Hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy place | Months in an airtight jar |
| Freezing | Chop leaves and freeze in ice cube trays with water | Several months |
The University of Illinois Extension notes that fresh mint keeps 3 to 7 days in a glass of water and about a week wrapped in the refrigerator.
How to Propagate Mint
- Runners: dig up a piece of runner with roots and replant it; the easiest method.
- Division: divide established plants in spring or early fall.
- Cuttings: put 4-inch stem cuttings in water; roots appear within one to two weeks.
- Seed: possible, but plants may not be true to type.
Rooted cuttings make great gifts and are a simple way to renew old, woody plants. It is also the cheapest way to grow mint in several pots around your patio.
Mint in Winter
Most mints are hardy perennials. The top growth dies back after hard frost, and new shoots appear in spring. Cut old stems back to the ground in late fall or early spring.
- Mint in pots is more exposed to frost; move pots against a wall or into an unheated shed in very cold regions.
- Water potted mint lightly during dry winter spells.
- For winter leaves, pot up a rooted runner and keep it on a bright windowsill; see how to grow herbs indoors.
For more on preparing the garden for winter, see our guide to winterizing your garden.
Mint Pests and Problems
| Problem | Signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mint rust | Orange-brown spots under leaves | Remove affected stems; improve airflow; avoid wetting leaves |
| Spider mites | Fine speckles and webbing in hot, dry weather | Spray leaves with water; see our white bugs guide |
| Aphids | Clusters on shoot tips | Spray off with water |
| Flea beetles | Tiny holes in leaves | Usually cosmetic; keep plants vigorous |
| Leggy, sparse growth | Too little light or no harvesting | Move to more sun; cut back hard |
| Woody center, weak growth | Old plant | Divide and replant young outer pieces |
Utah State University Extension lists aphids, flea beetles and cutworms as common pests, and anthracnose, mint rust and verticillium wilt as possible diseases. For identifying small pests, see white bugs on plants and our garden insects guide.
Common Mistakes When Growing Mint
| Mistake | Why it is a problem | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Planting mint loose in a mixed bed | Runners spread through the whole bed within a season | Use a pot or a buried container |
| Standing a pot on the lawn | Roots escape through the drainage holes | Place pots on paving or pot feet |
| Letting the soil dry out in pots | Leaves turn tough and the plant stops growing | Check pots daily in hot weather |
| Overhead watering in the evening | Wet leaves overnight encourage rust and other diseases | Water at the base in the morning |
| Never harvesting | Plants get leggy and flower early | Cut stems regularly |
| Keeping the same plant for many years | The center turns woody and weak | Divide and replant every 3 to 4 years |
Avoiding these mistakes is half of knowing how to grow mint well. The other half is simply picking it often and enjoying it.
Mint on the Patio: Easy Ideas
- Group pots of spearmint, peppermint and chocolate mint near your outdoor seating, so guests can pick leaves for drinks.
- Grow mint in a large window box on a balcony railing, with morning sun and afternoon shade.
- Combine a pot of mint with pots of thyme, sage and rosemary for a small kitchen herb corner; keep the mint in its own pot, as it needs more water.
- Place a pot of mint by the back door, so you can pick a handful on the way to the kitchen.
For more ideas to enjoy your outdoor space, see our patio tips.
Companion Planting with Mint
Mint is often said to repel pests from cabbages and tomatoes, but research evidence is limited. Its flowers do attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which help control aphids. Because mint spreads, grow it in a pot placed near other crops rather than in the same bed.
For proven combinations in the vegetable garden, see what grows well with tomatoes.
Using Fresh Mint
- Fresh mint tea: a handful of leaves in hot water.
- Summer drinks: mojitos, lemonade and iced tea.
- Salads and grain dishes such as tabbouleh.
- Sauces for lamb, peas and new potatoes.
- Desserts, fruit salads and chocolate.
Mint pairs well with other herbs from your garden, such as parsley, cilantro and thyme.
What You Need
You do not need much to learn how to grow mint well. These basics make mint plant care and growing mint in pots easier:
| Item | Why it helps | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Large pot or buried container | Keeps mint from spreading | A 12-inch pot, or a bottomless bucket sunk into the bed |
| Sharp pruners or herb snips | Clean cuts for harvesting and pruning | See our gardening tool sets guide |
| Gardening gloves | Protect your hands when planting and weeding | See our gardening gloves guide |
| Hose nozzle with a gentle shower setting | Waters seedlings and pots without washing out soil | See our garden hose nozzle guide |
| Kneeling pad | More comfortable sowing, planting and weeding | See our kneeling pad guide |
More Herb Guides
Building a kitchen herb garden? Our other herb guides explain how to grow thyme, how to grow parsley, how to grow cilantro and how to grow sage. To grow herbs on a windowsill in winter, see how to grow herbs indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does mint repel mosquitoes?
There is little evidence that mint plants keep mosquitoes away. Crushed leaves smell strongly, but a pot of mint on the patio will not protect you from bites.
How do I grow mint at home?
Plant mint in spring in moist, rich soil in sun or partial shade, preferably in a pot. Water regularly, feed once in spring and harvest often.
Is growing mint in pots better than in the ground?
For most gardens, yes. Mint spreads by underground runners, and growing mint in pots keeps it under control. In beds, use a bottomless container sunk 10 to 15 inches deep.
How often should I water mint?
Keep the soil evenly moist. In summer, mint in pots may need water every day; mint in the ground usually needs water when the top inch is dry.
Does mint need full sun?
Mint grows in full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, some afternoon shade keeps the leaves tender.
How do I harvest mint without killing the plant?
Cut stems just above a pair of leaves and never remove more than about a third of the plant at once. Regular harvesting actually helps the plant grow.
Should I let mint flower?
For the best leaf flavor, pinch off flower stems. If you want to feed bees and hoverflies, leave a few stems to flower.
Why is my mint plant dying?
Common causes are dry soil in pots, waterlogged soil, mint rust or an old, woody plant. Check watering, remove diseased stems and divide old plants.
What are the most popular types of mint?
Spearmint and peppermint are the most popular. Chocolate mint, apple mint, pineapple mint and Moroccan mint are also widely grown.
Does mint come back every year?
Yes. Most mints are hardy perennials that die back in winter and regrow in spring.
Can I grow different mints in one pot?
It is better to grow each mint in its own pot. Vigorous types crowd out weaker ones, and their flavors are easier to tell apart when kept separate.
How do I stop mint from spreading?
Grow it in pots on paving, or in a bottomless container sunk into the ground with the rim 3 to 4 inches above the soil. Pull escaping runners regularly.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to grow mint without letting it take over: choose your favorite types of mint, keep them in pots or buried containers, give them moist soil and some sun, and harvest often.
With simple mint plant care and regular cutting, a single plant gives you fresh leaves from spring to fall. Knowing how to harvest mint at the right moment keeps the flavor at its best, and dividing plants every few years keeps them young and productive.
Sources: Utah State University Extension: how to grow mint in your garden; University of Illinois Extension: mint; UC IPM: cultural tips for growing mint.
Back to contents ↑
