How to Grow Mint — Croft & Covey

Growing Conditions

Mint tolerates a wide range of conditions — full sun to partial shade, average to moist soil. It prefers more moisture than most herbs and actually grows well in spots that are too wet for lavender, rosemary, or thyme. Cold-hardy to Zone 3, it dies back in winter and returns reliably in spring.

The primary management consideration is containment. Mint spreads by underground stolons and will colonize an entire bed if not contained. Options: grow in a container, plant in a bottomless pot sunk into the ground, or dedicate a bed where spread is acceptable and manageable.

Sowing & Planting

Start from transplants or divisions — mint varieties don’t come true from seed and seed-grown plants are often bland. Plant in spring or fall. Space 18–24 inches apart, though plants will fill in regardless of spacing.

Care & Maintenance

Water during dry spells — mint prefers consistent moisture. No regular fertilizing needed; it grows vigorously in average soil. Cut plants back hard once or twice per season to encourage fresh, tender growth and prevent woodiness. Divide crowded clumps every 2–3 years.

Common Problems

Mint rust — bright orange pustules on leaves — is the primary disease. Remove and destroy affected stems; improve air circulation. Aphids and spider mites in dry conditions. Verticillium wilt causes sudden wilting — no cure; remove affected plants and don’t replant mint in that spot. Containment is the main management challenge, not pests or disease.

Harvest

Cut stems to 1–2 inches above soil level. Plants regrow quickly. Harvest before flowering for best flavor — cut plants back when flower buds appear to redirect energy into leaf production. For drying, harvest in the morning before heat volatilizes essential oils. Hang in bundles or spread on screens to dry.

Varieties

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the standard culinary mint — mild, sweet, widely used. Peppermint (M. x piperita) has a stronger menthol flavor and is better for tea and desserts. Apple mint (M. suaveolens) has soft, fuzzy leaves and a fruity fragrance. Chocolate mint smells remarkably like After Eight mints. All mints are grown identically — variety selection is purely a matter of flavor preference.