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Mint: Planting, Growing, and Containing This Vigorous Perennial Herb

Mint is a perennial with fragrant, toothed leaves and tiny purple/pink/white flowers. Fruity, aromatic taste.

"If any man can name … all the varieties of mint, he must know how many fish swim in the Indian Ocean." –Walafrid Strabo (c. 808–849)

Many varieties—all fragrant, shiny/fuzzy, smooth/crinkled, bright green/variegated. Square stem identifies mint family. Rolling between fingers releases pungent scent—candy, sweet teas, mint juleps.

Kitchen companions, garden accents, groundcovers, air fresheners, herbal medicines. Beautiful, functional, foolproof—thrive in sun/shade across North America. Vigorous spreaders—plant carefully.

Planting

Vigorous perennials; light soil with good drainage.
Ideal: moist but well-drained, like native stream banks.
Most tolerate some shade; variegated types may need protection from direct sun.
Outdoors: plant 1–2 purchased plants (or cuttings) 2 ft apart in moist soil. 1–2 plants cover ground easily. Height: 1–2 ft.
Containers: topdress with thin compost/organic fertilizer every few months. Aboveground pots need winter protection in cold climates.
Garden: plant near cabbage and tomatoes.

Care

Minimal care. Outdoors: light mulch keeps soil moist, leaves clean.
Indoors: water regularly for even moisture.
Start as well-behaved bushy clumps, but soon conquer via horizontal runners and underground rhizomes. Unchecked: pert peppermint → sprawling 4-ft giant in 1 year. Not horror movie stuff—mints benefit from picking/pruning. Shallow-rooted, easy to pull. Provide physical barriers: walls, walkways, containers.

Photo Credit: Juta/Shutterstock

Pests and Diseases

Powdery mildew
Rust
Leaf spot
Anthracnose
Stem canker
Mice dislike peppermint scent—spread where suspected. Also deer-resistant.

Harvest and Storage

Frequent harvesting = best plants. Young leaves > old. Harvest from spring emergence. Fresh best; sprigs keep few days in water. Freeze or air-dry in bunches.
Pre-flowering: cut stems 1 inch from ground. 1 plant = 2–3 harvests/season.
Or pick leaves as needed.
Indoors for winter fresh leaves. Dry pre-flowering; store airtight.

Multiplying Mint

Best propagation: cuttings from favorites. Easy—6-inch rooted stem cuttings planted horizontally in soil. Stems root in water glass. Start with small cutting from established plant. Any gardening friend shares favorite mint cuttings.

Photo Credit: Joannawnuk/Shutterstock

Recommended Varieties

Apple/Pineapple Mint: Mentha suaveolens
Corsican Mint: Mentha requienii
Pennyroyal: Mentha pulegium
Peppermint: Mentha x piperita
Citrus Mint: Mentha x piperita var. citrata
Spearmint: Mentha spicata

Wit & Wisdom

Tension headache: apply mint leaf compress to forehead. More medicinal benefits/uses.
Mint symbolizes virtue. More plant meanings.
Mint relieves stress/anxiety. Use fresh mint as calming herb.

Recipes

Cilantro and Mint Sauce
Mint Chiller
Minted Fruit Mold

Cooking Notes

Serious cooks: spearmint for savory, peppermint for desserts. Delicate mint in fruit salads, yogurt, tea: apple/orange mint. Background in Middle Eastern salads (tabouli), with lamb, peas, zucchini, fresh beans, summer veg marinades, cold soups, fruit salads, cheese.

See our Mango Mint Smoothie recipe!