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 70°F and 75°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks. Cut leaves from top with scissors.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cabbages, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

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30 Mar 18, Kaki (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I have greenish caterpillars on my mint, can I use pyrethrum to get rid of them, n after how long can I use the leaves for cooking Thanks
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04 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes use it.
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16 Jun 18, Leigh (Australia - temperate climate)
Cut garlic cloves, mix it with warm water. Put in a sprayer. Stinks but it’s natural. Caterpillars gone!
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25 Feb 18, Cynthia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Something is feasting on mint in my garden and I am left with lots of holes. What may this be and what is an organic remedy. Until recently I have complained that it is growing like a weed.
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26 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe an organic spray of soap, garlic and chilli. Look up Gardening Australia website (last weekends program has a story on it) or other websites to see.
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27 Jan 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i grow a mint plant in a pot in my shadehouse?
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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you read the notes here it does say in doors and out doors.
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06 Sep 17, Bruce Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi guys. Interested in growing chocolate mint. Anyone have any information or tips. Also, where to purchase in Adelaide south region. Cheers.
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16 Jan 18, Marie (Australia - temperate climate)
If you are ever at the Willunga markets there is often a plant stand there with chocolate mint.
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07 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet for seeds or you may even find some plants. The internet on how and where to grow.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 96 comments
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I have a few patches of mint - in a garden bed and in pots. It thrives in spring and summer, but still grows quite well through winter. In the last two years, though, I have had a pest; a tiny fly that must lay its eggs in teh growing tips. This causes the tiny terminal leaves to stick together as the eggs hatch and teh larvae feed. If I prise the tip leaves apart I can (just) see tiny, tiny yellowish maggots. I took them to a lab and examined these under a microscope. Sure enough they are typical maggots - legless, hairless, pointed at one end and flat at the bum (spiracle) end, wriggling about. They are about 1 mm long. It kills the tips - they go brown and once the larvae change into adults the tips dry out and die. Does anyone know what the ID of this fly is? And what I should do? I'm guessing remove all tips, put out yellow sticky paper for the adult flies and maybe spray with spinosad? Or stop growing mint for a season??? Help! I do love mint in my mojitos!

- Sally

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