Growing your own Mint Plants

Mint is easy to grow and in fact can become a bit of weed if let go. However mint is of great value in the herb garden, so when it roams a little, just pull it up.

We tend to grow mint in pots or containers, (see picture right) as well as in an 'enclosed' garden bed where it can not roam, this also happens to be close to the kitchen, easy for picking.

A well drained humus rich soil is all that mint requires. Mint grows well in pots, and this may be the best way of taming its spreading nature. Mint is used extensively in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking.

Mint Care and Problems

Growing mint in warmer climates can cause problems, it does require constant moisture, in Queensland try growing mint in morning sun and shade from midday on. Remember that in cooler areas mint will die back in winter, but will bounce back in spring. Generally not to many pests to worry about.

Pick or prune mint during the growing season to maintain a bushy plant

Mint varieties and types

Mint plants are a herb with many varieties that are easily grown in pots or in the home garden. The most common mint variety grown is M. spicata or Spearmint, it is used widely in cooking, for sauces, salads and mint jellies. Apple mint, Pineapple Mint and Peppermint are other popular species.