Cool seasonHerbVegetative

Mint

Mentha spp.

Mint is a spreading perennial herb started from cuttings, divisions, or transplants rather than seed. Vigorous underground stems colonize moist soil unless confined, and containers are a practical way to limit spread in small gardens. High water need and harvest about 60–90 days from planting suit moist, partly sunny sites.

Plant family Lamiaceae · Also called garden mint

Mint
60–90 daysfrom planting to harvest
Planting timing

Plant cuttings or divisions after frost.

Plant outdoors from the last frost date through four weeks after it using vegetative material. Germination days do not apply.

Hardy once established. The key tip recommends containers when underground stems must be kept from invading neighboring beds.

at to 4 weeks after last frostPlant outdoors

Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.

Cutting, division or transplantSet planting material

Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.

Not listedEstablish roots

Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.

60–90 daysBegin harvest

Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.

Planting material: Cutting, division or transplant. Life cycle: Perennial.
Space & containers

Contain spreading stems in pots.

Allow 30–45 cm between plants with rows about 45 cm. Spreading habit fills space quickly even from a single root piece.

Containers need 20 cm depth and about 7 litres with attention to overflow drainage so stems do not escape through holes.

Core measurements

Between plants30–45 cm

Crop-level planning range.

Between rows45 cm

Crop-level planning range.

Container depth20+ cm

Crop-level planning range.

Container volume7+ L

Crop-level planning range.

Growth habitSpreading

Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.

SupportNone

Install support early when it is required or useful.

Growing conditions

Keep soil moist but not sodden.

Four hours of direct sun minimum; mint tolerates part shade and may stay lusher with afternoon protection in hot climates.

High water at 35–50 mm weekly with pH 6.0–7.5. Consistent moisture matches natural streamside habitats.

Sunlight

4+ hours

Part sun tolerant (4+ direct-sun hours/day)

Soil pH

6–7.5

A suitable acidity range for general growth.

Weekly water

35–50 mm

High water need.

How to water

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment and harvest development.

Growth & harvest

Harvest lightly while plants establish.

First cutting often comes 60–90 days from planting vegetative starts. Harvest basis is planting, not seed sowing.

Perennial regrowth accelerates after the first season. Regular pinching keeps plants bushy and limits flowering.

GerminationNot listed

Read with the full crop profile.

Harvest basisPlanting

Read with the full crop profile.

Life cyclePerennial

Read with the full crop profile.

Frost toleranceHardy

Read with the full crop profile.

Key growing tip

Grow mint in a container if you need to prevent its underground stems from spreading.

Mint growing questions

Should mint be grown in a pot?

The key tip suggests containers to limit spreading underground stems.

Can mint be grown from seed in this profile?

Planting material is cutting, division, or transplant; germination is null.

When can mint go outdoors?

From the last frost date through four weeks after per outdoor timing fields.

How is mint harvest timing measured?

60–90 days from planting with harvest basis planting.

Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S4,S5. Local climate and variety can change actual results.

Explore another crop

Compare mint with other vegetables, herbs, and fruits in Crop Brief.

Browse all 50 crops