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            
        T T T          
        P P            

(Best months for growing Mint in Australia - 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 21°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks. Cut leaves from top with scissors.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cabbages, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
18 Jan 16, Jennifer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What's the best form of fertiliser if any, for mint and other root running herbs? Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Nov 15, MANJU (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I PLANTED MINT AND CUCUMBER IN THE SAME TRAY. THE MINT IS NOT GROWING AS IT WAS BEFORE . IT IS MORE THAN 6 WEEKS BUT THERE ARE NO FLOWERS IN CUCUMBER PLANT. HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO PRODUCE THE CUCUMBERS
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Dec 15, Mark (Australia - tropical climate)
Do you fertilise with pot ash?
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jul 15, Apples (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow you're everyday mint and chocolate mint.Smells great but no flavour,any ideas?
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Nov 14, (Australia - arid climate)
How do I stop the caterpillar from eating my mint?
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Oct 14, (Australia - arid climate)
Adelaide- I know the green grubs well....I've found that a gentle shake will dislodge the grubs making them easier to find. My question is......does anyone know the moth- butterfly responsible
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jun 14, louisa (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
something is eating my mint. any organic bug killer available? thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jul 14, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Dipel or catapiller killer, is certified organic, it works by rotting the gut of the catapiller. They stop eating the plant straight away and die within 3-4 days, also non toxic when the birds eat them after
Reply or Post a new comment
16 May 14, Andryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have a few pots of mint plants, and I notice since around Feb or March that my mint leaves have been very tiny and some of them even have a bare stalk closer to the ground. I water them almost everynight and they have access to plenty of sunlight. I didn't put any ferteliser on it because the last time I put ferteliser on it, they all flower and I have to pick and discard all the flowers (can I do something about the flower?). I was wondering what have I been doing wrong and what can I do to make remedy this situations? Thank you guys
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Feb 14, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing mint in a Grow Bag and it's flourishing but there are strange little silver-white streaks on most of the older leaves. I pick the good, young leaves but would love to know what is causing this. It doesn't look like a fungus. My local nurseryman says he thinks it's some sort of insect. Any organic solutions?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 31 - 40 of 64 comments
See comments for all plants

You can use Pyrethrum (which is based on the natural pyrethrum daisy extract). I've only use it 'on demand' when there is a problem, and it has incurred no negative effects onon any of my herbs growth or taste. Sunlight dissapates the Pyrethrum left on the leaves over a very short period. Alternatively or in addition, you can hang flying insect 'sticky paper' above and around your plants. Catapillar Larvae are also of concern for Mint, so using these 2 items as well as a $25 bug zapper to capture moths before the damage is done, seems to cover all bases as far as my Herb, Fruit and Vegetable growing is concerned.

- Matthew

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.