Growing Mint, also Garden mint

Mentha spicata : Lamiaceae / the mint family

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

(Best months for growing Mint in Australia - sub-tropical 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

05 Oct 18, Mary-Clare (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My mint is very yellow on the lower leaves. How do I make it more healthy. Is there a tip to adding something to the soil? Or do I just need to pinch all the tips off?
07 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pinch all the yellow leaves off and give it a shot of fertiliser. Mix some in a bucket of water and apply -1-2-3 teaspoons.
07 Sep 18, kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew chocolate mint. It smelled FANTASTIC. It tasted bleh.
02 Jul 18, sophie (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Perth Western australia and would like to grow different and interesting varieties of mint. For example: Chocolate mint, Apple Mint Spearmint Vietnamese Mint any suggestions where I can find these seedlings. or do I have to start them from seed? Thank you, Sophie
27 Nov 18, Jen D (Australia - temperate climate)
You can try at an Asian grocer or vegetable market for the Vietnamese mint seeds- often they will have a small display of Asian veg and herb seeds in packets.
16 Sep 18, Jodie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sophie, You could see whether any online seedling / seed companies in Australia ship to your area. This seems to be the best bet for finding interesting varieties. I was able to order quite a few varieties of mint from Mudbrick Cottage Herb Farm (www.herbcottage.com.au), however unfortunately they are unable to post plants to WA due to quarantine restrictions (I live in Victoria). My order included pineapple mint and variegated apple mint. I just planted them up today, and they smell so good! Early spring is possibly the best time for sourcing mint seedlings, as they die off over winter and re-sprout in spring (although perhaps in WA they re-sprout earlier). All the best with your search!
03 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think you would have a lot of trouble trying to find seedlings for different mint in one place. Probably have to look at seed selling companies, Boondie Seeds- New Life Seeds - The Seed Collection company and others if you look.
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
04 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes use it.
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!
Showing 11 - 20 of 64 comments

Hi Sophie, You could see whether any online seedling / seed companies in Australia ship to your area. This seems to be the best bet for finding interesting varieties. I was able to order quite a few varieties of mint from Mudbrick Cottage Herb Farm (www.herbcottage.com.au), however unfortunately they are unable to post plants to WA due to quarantine restrictions (I live in Victoria). My order included pineapple mint and variegated apple mint. I just planted them up today, and they smell so good! Early spring is possibly the best time for sourcing mint seedlings, as they die off over winter and re-sprout in spring (although perhaps in WA they re-sprout earlier). All the best with your search!

- Jodie

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