Mint thrives on neglect, which makes it a perfect first herb. Its one bad habit is spreading: it takes over any pot it shares. Give it a container of its own and it will give you leaves for years.
The basics
- Pot: its own pot, 12–16 inches across (3–5 gallons). Never share.
- Sun: full sun to part shade, at least 4–6 hours. It is most productive in full sun.
- When: set new plants out once danger of frost has passed.
- Start from: a plant from the store, or a rooted piece from a friend. Seed is possible but slow.
Why it never shares a pot
Mint spreads by underground stems and out-competes whatever it shares a pot with. Once established it is very hard to remove. Its stems also root wherever they touch soil, so cut off runners that creep over the rim and stems that reach into a neighboring pot.
Water and feeding
Keep the mix moist but not soggy; mint does poorly in dry mix. In fresh potting mix it needs little or no fertilizer.
Harvest: the more you cut, the bushier it grows
- Cut often, taking up to the top third at a time.
- Before it flowers you can cut it back near soil level and get a second crop later.
- Remove flowers before they set seed.
Year after year
Spearmint, the common kitchen mint, is a perennial in USDA zones 4–9: it comes back every spring. Indoors it grows in a south window with 5–6 hours of sun, but it can outgrow indoor space quickly.
Sources
Every fact in this guide comes from the publications below. None of them reviewed or endorsed Balcony Bounty.
- University of Maryland Extension. Mint. extension.umd.edu/resource/mint
- University of Illinois Extension. Herbs: Mint. extension.illinois.edu/herbs/mint
- Utah State University Extension. Mint in the Garden. extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/mint-in-the-garden
- University of California Statewide IPM Program. Cultural tips for growing mint. ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/cultural-tips-for-growing-mint/
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Mentha spicata (spearmint). plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/mentha-spicata/
- Penn State Extension. Growing Herbs in the Garden. extension.psu.edu/growing-herbs-in-the-garden
- Iowa State University Extension. Growing, Harvesting and Drying Herbs. yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-harvesting-and-dryi…
- Iowa State University Extension. Growing Herbs Indoors. yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-herbs-indoors
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