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

09 Dec 13, Leann Ruth (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi there. I would like to fined out the names of all the different types of mint that is growing in South Africa? I would all sow like to fined out from you what type of mined would one plant down in Cape Town? Considering that it rains most of the time down there.? Thank you 4 all your help from Leann Ruth M
28 Nov 13, Angie (Australia - arid climate)
Hi, something has been eating my mint. I had a good look under the leaves and found 2 green caterpillars. I got rid of them but how can I stop more from finding my mint plant??
28 Dec 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
If you got any response please let me know - I have the same problem and many of the leaves are now like lace?
11 Oct 13, MintGrower (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I don't know what's wrong with my mint, leaves aren't growing and the small ones are getting yellow. It's receiving nice morning sun and then shadow in the afternoon because when I left it out in the sun all day it was getting burnt. It's well moist and everything seems according to instructions but I'm afraid it's dying, what to do?
08 Jul 13, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can mint cuttings form roots if placed in acontainer of water
10 Jul 13, Julian (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, quite readily. A cutting 10 cm's or more in length with water about half way will most definitely form roots in about a week or so. It does much better in pots once planted out as mint really does roam.
16 May 13, John (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Mint. Note the comment under growing notes. Mint WILL attempt to take over your garden! Which can be an advantage : ) or disadvantage : (
04 Mar 13, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)
you could try a garlic oil recipe for a bottle sprayer. I have tried making it before and always works well, although I usually make two mistakes. First, I never make enough, second I always forget to strain it properly and my sprayer gets clogged up.
26 Jan 13, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Something is eating my mint at night time , I put snail and slug pellets down but whatever is eating it the pellets arnt working, the bugs have nearly stripped all the leaves bare just leaving the storks.
27 Jul 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
I had the same problem for the last two winters. Late one night I went to the mint growing box with a flashlight and voila I found all my mint covered in little green caterpillars. I have no idea what they were, but spent an hour or so for the next couple of nights picking them off. The caterpillars will not be found during the day and are hard to see of a night but persistence is the key. Happy hunting!! John
Showing 71 - 80 of 96 comments

I've had rust, if you take a cutting from unaffected leaves and start a new plant, it works fine. You don't need to destroy the whole plant, but you will need to start over.

- Grub

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