If you’ve ever wondered how to grow mint, the good news is that it’s one of the easiest herbs to cultivate. Mint is low-maintenance, fast-growing, and adds fresh flavour to countless dishes. In fact, it can spread so vigorously that many gardeners treat it as invasive. That’s why growing mint in pots or contained garden beds is usually the best approach.
How to Grow Mint from Cuttings – Step By Step
Mint is very easy to propagate and grow from cuttings.
- You can simply take cuttings that are around 15 cm long, strip the leaves from the lower 1/2 and sit these in some water until new roots appear.
- As soon as the roots appear, you can plant the cuttings into a container.
- Use a container that is fairly wide and not necessarily deep. Remember that mint is an invasive plant, so container growing is the best option.
- The root system is vigorous and will send up new shoots regularly.
- It will grow in the container for 2 -3 years, after this it will need repotting.
- Potting mix with some perlite mixed in is excellent
- Best grown in partial shade rather than full sun.
- Every year you will need to prune the mint plant to keep it productive.
- You can usually find some healthy small plants in a container each year. Simply remove these and plant them in a new container with fresh potting mix with some perlite mixed through it.
How Grow Mint in Pots and the Garden
Mint thrives in containers, making it easy to keep near the kitchen for quick harvesting. To grow successfully in pots:
- Choose a large container as mint has a vigorous root system.
- Water regularly and keep soil consistently moist.
- Apply a liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during the growing season.
- In hot weather, move your pot into afternoon shade.
- Prune regularly to promote bushy growth and harvest fresh leaves.
Container growing not only tames mint’s spreading roots but also allows you to control soil quality.
How To Grow Mint In The Garden
If planting in the ground, choose an enclosed bed or barrier system to prevent mint from taking over. Best conditions include:
- A humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.
- Morning sun with protection from harsh midday heat.
- Consistent watering supported by mulch and moisture-retaining soil additives.
- Light, non-clayey soil that avoids waterlogging.
Remember, mint likes stable conditions with a cool root run and filtered light.
How To Grow Mint in Containers
- Growing mint in a container or pot requires a largish one, mint has a root system that like to have a little room, it is a bit of a roaming plant so give it space.
- In pots regular fertiliser application is more important, to an application of a liquid fertiliser, with a balanced NPK every 2 – 3 weeks is recommended.
- Regular harvesting is important, again cut back to a healthy set of leaves.
- Durung hot weather move the pot into afternoon shade.
- Water regularly and mulch to maintain a cool moist root run.
Caring For You Mint Plants
Although mint is easy to grow, it benefits from ongoing care:
- Tip pruning: Cut back stems to a lower pair of healthy leaves throughout the season.
- Flower bud removal: Pick off buds to extend leafy growth.
- Annual rejuvenation: Lift the plant, divide roots, refresh potting mix with compost or vermicast, and replant divisions.
- Winter dormancy: In cool climates, mint dies back in winter but revives in spring.
Pests are uncommon but may include aphids, whitefly, or thrips. Healthy soil and airflow help prevent infestations.
How To Grow Mint to encourage constant healthy growth.
Although mint is easy to grow and in fact is fast growing it does require annual care to keep it productive.
- Most mint is grown in pots or containers, and this is how we rejuvenate our mint plants.
- Simply pruning mint back and adding a little fertiliser is not enough.
- Mint produces masses of roots, and for best results it is best to dig the plant out.
- Divide the mint, replenish the potting mix with some well rotted compost and perhaps some vermicast, and then replant some sections of the mint.
- If you tip prune your mint through the growing season, and water it every few weeks with a liquid seaweed fertiliser it will remain healthy and productive.
- Prune back to a pair of healthy leaves, as low down the stem as possible. If you do this through the growing season you will maintain a bushy productive plant.
- Remember to pick out the flower buds as they appear.
- Also remember that mint grows best in afternoon shade in all but the coolest zones.
Mint varieties and types
Mint comes in many flavours and aromas, with these being the most popular:
- Spearmint (Mentha spicata): Classic culinary variety for sauces, jellies, and salads.
- Peppermint (Mentha × piperita): Stronger flavour, good for teas and desserts.
- Apple mint: Softer flavour with fuzzy leaves.
- Pineapple mint: Variegated, fragrant leaves.
- Corsican mint: Low-growing groundcover.
- Vietnamese mint: Warm-climate favourite in Asian cuisine.
- Chocolate mint (Mentha × piperita f. citrata ‘Chocolate’): Subtle cocoa flavour.
Each variety brings its own twist to drinks, cooking, or garden fragrance.
Mint can be used in many recipes, it can also be used in spaces as well as in drinks such as iced tea.
Quick Growing Conditions
- Botanical name: Mentha spicata (common mint)
- Height/spread: Around 30 cm, spreading vigorously
- Position: Full sun to partial shade (afternoon shade in hot climates)
- Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained
- Watering: Keep soil consistently damp, mulch in pots or beds
- Tolerances: Not drought-tolerant, moderate frost tolerance
- Pests: Aphids, whitefly, thrips possible
- If you are growing in a container, repot each year, or every second year, mint has a vigorous root system and depletes the soil in a small pot or container. Divide and repot
Our Top Tip
We grow our mint in self watering pots, it makes them a very easy care plant and allow us to shift them into more shade during summer
Mint – Knowledge Chart
- Botanical Name – Mentha spicata
- Common Names – Mint, Common Garden Mint
- Origins – Europe and Asia
- Height – To around 30cm (12 inches) Can be taller depending on conditions.
- Spread – Can spread widely if not contained.
- Position – Full sun to part shade depending on climate zone.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Foliage – Aromatic, mid green and oval shaped.
- Flowers – White to mauve
- Climate zones – From Tropical to Cool temperate.
- Drought Tolerant – No
- Frost tolerant – Medium
- Pest – Aphids, White-Fly, thrips and others.
Does mint need full sun or shade?
Mint grows best in partial shade. It can handle morning sun but prefers to avoid the harsh afternoon heat. In cooler zones, full sun is fine.
How often should I water mint?
Mint likes consistently moist soil. Water regularly, making sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely, especially when grown in containers.
How do I keep mint healthy and bushy?
Regular pruning is key. Tip prune throughout the season, remove flower buds, and divide and repot annually to refresh the soil.
Does mint die back in winter?
Yes, in colder climates mint may die back to the roots, but it will regrow in spring. In warmer climates, it often grows year-round.
What is the best fertiliser for mint?
A balanced liquid fertiliser with NPK every 2–3 weeks during the growing season works well. Liquid seaweed or organic feeds can also boost growth.
Where to Buy
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au