How to grow Mint
Updated October 2026
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, from the cold North to humid Florida, and a couple of plants supply plenty of leaves for tea, drinks and cooking. Its strength is also its problem: it spreads fast by runners and rhizomes and is very hard to remove once established, so grow it in a container or a confined bed.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Mint
Where to plant
Mint grows best in rich, moist, slightly acidic soil in full sun or part shade, and it does not do well in dry soil. In Florida, UF/IFAS suggests light or part shade and moisture-retentive soil; mint handles Florida's heat and humidity well.
Contain it. Mint spreads by runners and underground rhizomes, outcompetes most garden plants and is very hard to eradicate once established. Grow it in a pot, a sunken container or a bed with a root barrier.
- Florida, the Gulf Coast and Hawaii: plant from fall to spring and give it light shade in summer.
- Cold regions, including the Northern Plains and Alaska: peppermint, spearmint and woolly mints are very hardy.
- Everywhere: water regularly; mint wilts quickly in dry soil.
Choosing a variety
Taste and scent vary a lot between mints. Spearmint is the classic culinary mint, and NC State calls it one of the best for flavor ('Kentucky Colonel' is a noted selection). Peppermint, apple, orange, pineapple and chocolate mints are other popular choices.
Mints cross readily, so seed often does not come true. Buy plants of a known variety, take cuttings or divide a plant you like.
How to plant
- Plant transplants or divisions in early spring, or in fall in mild climates, with roots just below the surface.
- Space plants about 12 inches apart in a container or confined bed.
- To sow seed, cover it about 1/4 inch deep and thin seedlings once they emerge, knowing they may not be true to type.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly, about 1 to 2 inches a week depending on heat and soil, and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Overwatering and wet leaves encourage disease; drip irrigation or morning watering helps.
One spring feed of a slow-release, balanced fertilizer is enough. Too much water and fertilizer encourages rust and weakens the flavor.
Pruning and care through the year
- Cut back hard several times a season, just before the plants bloom, to keep fresh leaves coming.
- Shear off flower spikes after bloom to stimulate new leafy growth.
- Divide and replant crowded clumps every few years in spring or early fall to keep them healthy.
Harvesting
Pick leaves and stems throughout the season once plants are 3 to 4 inches tall; the youngest leaves have the most flavor. For larger harvests, cut stems to within an inch of the ground, picking late in the morning on dry days.
Fresh stems keep about a week in water in the refrigerator. To dry, hang bunches in a dark, shady, airy place until brittle and store in airtight jars for up to a year. Chopped mint freezes well in ice cube trays.
Growing in pots
A pot is the best home for mint. Use a container with drainage holes and rich potting mix, keep it moist, and divide or repot every year or two when it fills the pot.
Propagation and saving seed
Mint roots easily from cuttings and from runners, which can be cut off and replanted or shared. Divide clumps in spring or fall.
Companion planting
Mint flowers attract pollinators. Keep it in a pot set near vegetable beds rather than planted in them, or it will spread through the bed.
Good companions
- Cabbage A traditional pairing; keep the mint in a pot beside the bed.
- Tomato A pot of mint nearby brings in pollinators without spreading into the bed.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to mint.
- Parsley Traditional advice keeps them apart; mint would quickly overrun it in the same bed.
Pests and diseases
Most mint problems come from wet leaves or overcrowding. Good watering, sun and regular thinning prevent most of them.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Curled, yellowed or stunted shoots with clusters of insects.
- Flea beetles Tiny holes chewed in the leaves.
Diseases to watch for
- Rust Small pale spots that turn orange to brown on the undersides of leaves; avoid wetting leaves overnight.
- Verticillium wilt Leaves yellow from the edges, curl and die; move mint to a new spot.
- Anthracnose Small water-soaked spots on leaves and stems.
Common questions
How do I stop mint from spreading?
Grow it in a container, or a sunken pot or bed with a root barrier. Mint spreads by runners and rhizomes and is very hard to remove once established in open ground.
Can mint grow in Florida?
Yes. UF/IFAS calls mint an excellent herb for beginners that does well in Florida's heat and humidity. Give it moist soil and light or part shade.
How do I harvest mint?
Pick young leaves anytime once plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, or cut whole stems to an inch above the ground just before the plant flowers. It regrows quickly.
Why does my mint have orange spots?
That is mint rust, a fungal disease. Avoid wetting the leaves in the evening, do not overfeed, and cut affected plants down to the ground.
Can I grow mint from seed?
You can, but mints cross easily, so seedlings are often not true to type. Cuttings or divisions from a plant you like are more reliable.
How do I dry mint?
Hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy place with low humidity until brittle, then store the leaves in airtight jars for up to a year.
Sources we checked: Utah State University Extension: How to Grow Mint in Your Garden; UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Mint; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Mentha spicata.
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