Growing Mint, also Garden mint

Mentha spicata : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Mint in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in trays and plant out or start from cuttings. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 21°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks. Cut leaves from top with scissors.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cabbages, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

20 Oct 20, Perla (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I have mine in my patio (which gets sun in the morning only). It's been there for 1 1/2 yr. and seems to thrive every season so far. Mint is super invasive, so make sure to keep them in their own pot or container, otherwise, it will take over your other plants.
19 Oct 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Read the notes here it tells you.
29 Apr 20, Louise (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi - we are in a temperate climate with high rainfall in winter and not much in the way of frost. We have had a beautiful large pot of mint thriving over summer and as it ended have cut it back hard. If I tuck the pot out of sight for winter will it come away again in Spring or am I better to pull it out and replant in Spring? Thanks : )
30 Apr 20, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Read the notes here it tells you what to do. Grow indoors or outside, will die back in winter, shoot away again in spring. Likes a bit shade etc.
01 Feb 20, Denise (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I plant mint in January. Just decided I want to plant some
03 Feb 20, anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Look up mint for your climate zone and check the planting calendar guide.
25 Jan 20, Michael Daly (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I cut back my mint last year it was a massive crop now it has not come away as good only have small amounts it is in same soil and grows in a big wooden square container I added cow dung in soil this year I live in Timaru
27 Jan 20, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You may have hacked it back too hard. Freshish cow dung won't do anything at first, it needs to decompose first and it is not rich in fertiliser. Don't over fertilise any crop it will only produce massive growth.
11 Jan 20, Lori (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Can I grow peppermint here if it does not get anything but Morning Sun and lots of water? I just caught a mouse eating all of my ginger and tumeric rhizomes that I spent 8 hrs planting
17 Jan 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I used to live in zone 9 and when I grew mint in those conditions (morning sun, plenty of water) it grew like a beast and took over most of my garden. So--yes, it should do great...but be careful what you wish for!
Showing 11 - 20 of 96 comments

Hi all, My recently planted mint has leaves that look like they have been burnt. Any ideas what might have caused it? Cheers Phil

- Phil Green

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.