How to Plant Mint Seeds

Growing Mint from Seed

Mint thrives almost anywhere with little care. Once established, provides years of fresh leaves for garnish, flavoring, jelly. Usually planted as cuttings/plants, but seed works if you're patient.

Steps

Step 1: Prepare Bed

Sunny spot. Cultivate 8 inches deep. Work in 3–4 inches well-rotted manure/peat/compost per sq ft + 2 tsp time-release granular fertilizer.

Step 2: Sow

Shallow trenches (hoe corner). Seeds ¼ inch deep, rows 24–36 inches apart.

Step 3: Water and Thin

Gentle water (can or fine spray)—don't wash seeds. Keep moist. After germination, 1–2 inches water weekly. Avoid soggy soil (rot risk).

Step 4: Thin Seedlings

When crowded, pinch off weak/spindly seedlings with fingernails. Don't pull—disturbs strong neighbors' roots.

Step 5: Harvest

Start at 3–4 inches tall. Cut to ~1 inch with kitchen shears. Harvest late morning (dew gone, before heat).

Containment Tip

Mint spreads aggressively. Plant in buried containers or dedicated beds to prevent takeover.