Mint: Plant Care and Growing Guide

Most popular Mint species

• Spearmint (Mentha spicata): This is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial with spearmint-scented, lance-shaped leaves and spikes of small, white to pale purple flowers. Native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, this garden mint spreads rampantly to form an extensive colony. It is widely used for culinary purposes and is known as one of the best mints for flavor.
• Curly spearmint (Mentha spicata var. crispa): This aromatic perennial produces bright green, crinkled, oval leaves with toothed margins and a true spearmint scent. Spikes of tiny, white to light pink or purple flowers are borne above the foliage. Moroccan Mint is a neat form with a delightful flavor.
• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): This sterile hybrid is a strongly scented, herbaceous perennial with dark green, tooth-edged leaves often flushed with purple. It produces terminal spikes of tiny, pale purple flowers in late summer. The leaves are great for flavoring tea. Some varieties have a slight orange flavor (M. x p. citrata). Other fruit-flavored types include the delicious ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Grapefruit’ mints.
• Apple or Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens): This sweetly fruit-scented rhizomatous perennial boasts rounded, softly hairy, apple-scented leaves and dense spikes of white or pinkish flowers in late summer and early fall. Native to southern and western Europe, this vigorous, upright Mint is most commonly grown as a culinary herb or ground cover. The leaves can be used to make apple mint jelly, prepare mint tea, tossed in salads, or used as a garnish. Apple mint has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years in many parts of the world.
• Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a highly aromatic, creeping perennial forming dense mats or small smooth leaves that are powerfully spearmint scented. Tiny lilac flowers are produced in whorls in summer. Native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy and culinary herb but is poisonous if consumed in large quantities.
• Mojito Mint (Mentha x villosa) is a vigorous, spreading perennial herb with strongly aromatic hairy leaves and spikes of tiny, pale pink flowers in summer. The strong flavor of this Mint variety makes it a traditional ingredient in the famous Mojito cocktail.
• Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii) is a strongly mint-scented perennial that forms a dense ground cover of tiny emerald green leaves. This vigorous, mat-forming Mint produces tubular lilac flowers in short spikes in summer. It has a mossy appearance and can be used as a filler between steppingstone.

Planting Mint

• Tough and unfussy, most Mint varieties thrive in light, moist soils in full sun or partial shade.
• Buy young plants or use cuttings in spring.
• Plant 2 feet apart (60 cm). A couple of plants will be more than enough to quickly to cover the ground.
• Avoid growing different varieties of mint close to each other, as they can lose their individual aroma and flavor.
• Since Mint is a vigorous grower that will spread everywhere and could become invasive, you may want to plant it in a 10-inch pot (25 cm) filled with multi-purpose compost.
• You can keep this pot above ground or sink it into the ground with the rim above ground level to prevent shoots from escaping over the top.
• You can also grow the plants indoors for fresh leaves throughout the winter.
• Alternatively, you could plant your Mint plants in their own raised bed.
• Water plants before and after planting and until they settle in.

Growing Mint

• Ensure the soil is consistently moist, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Mulch lightly to retain moisture and keep the leaves clean.
• When blooming is over, cut the flowered stems back to 2 in (5 cm) from the base.
• If your plants are spreading via their horizontal runners and underground rhizomes, they can be easily pulled out.

Companion Planting

Mint is an excellent companion plant.

• Mint repels Pests: It has a strong scent that can deter pests such as aphids, black flies, cabbage moths, cabbage worms, cabbage maggots, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and ants.
• Mint improves Growth: It is said to improve the growth of other plants by improving soil quality and releasing beneficial compounds into the soil.
• Mint attracts Beneficial Insects: The flowers are a source of nectar for beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which help pollinate nearby plants or prey on garden pests.

Do not plant Mint in the ground near your vegetables to prevent it from taking over your vegetable crops. Use the foliage as mulch or keep it in pots.

Find here the list of best and worst companion plants for Mint

Harvesting and Storing Mint

Mint is best harvested just before the plant starts to flower when the essential oils and flavor are at their peak. Here are some tips for harvesting it:

• Pruning: Harvest only the young leaves, as they are more flavorful than the mature ones. Cut the stem tips of the plant back to about 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) from the ground using sharp scissors or pruning shears.
• Timing: Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.
• Frequency: Regular harvesting will encourage new growth and keep the plant healthy and productive.
• Drying: To dry mint, tie the stems together in bunches and hang them upside down in a warm, dry place with good air circulation. Once the leaves are dry and crumbly, crumble them into a jar and store them in a cool, dark place.
• Freezing: Another option is to freeze mint leaves by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and putting them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the leaves to a freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer.

Repotting Mint

Repotting mint is an important step in maintaining its health and preventing it from becoming root-bound. Here are some steps to repotting mint:

• Choose the right pot: Select a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot and has adequate drainage holes.
• Prepare the soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
• Remove the plant from the old pot: Gently remove the plant from its current pot, taking care not to damage the roots.
• Trim the roots: If the roots are congested, trim them back to encourage new growth.
• Repot the plant: Place the plant in the new pot, making sure it’s at the same depth as it was in the old pot. Fill the pot with the prepared soil and press down gently to eliminate air pockets.
• Water the plant: Water the plant thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, for the next few weeks.
• Place in a suitable location: Place the repotted mint in a bright, but not direct sun location. Gradually acclimate it to its new environment by exposing it to sunlight for longer periods each day.

Pest and Diseases

Mint is not affected by serious pest or disease issues.

• Pests: Keep an eye out for Mint beetles, slugs, and snails.
• Diseases: Anthracnose, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew, Rust.