Mint is easy to grow and there are many different types, offering an array of exciting and unusual flavours, from traditionalpeppermint tolime mint or chocolate mint and many more. Mint thrives in most soil types, in sun or light shade, and usually forms large leafy clumps up to 1m (3.3ft) tall and wide. Most mints are vigorous, spreading plants, so are best grown in large pots or in bottomless buckets sunk into the ground, to keep their roots contained. You can pick mint’s young leaves and shoot tips from spring through to autumn. Mint is a herbaceous perennial, so it dies back over winter, then re-sprouts every spring, living for many years. It is very easy to make new plants by taking root
A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.
cuttings and bydivision. The pretty flowers, usually in fluffy purple, pink or white spires, are rich in nectar, attracting many beneficial pollinating insects. You can use mint in all kinds of dishes, including salads, sauces, pesto and desserts. You can scatter it over buttered new potatoes or peas, add it to ice creams, smoothies and cocktails, or make it into tea.
Mint is a versatile herb that adds fragrance and flavor to many dishes. With its fast spreading growth habit, mint can also make an attractive groundcover. However, mint’s vigorous growth means it needs a little care when planting to keep it under control. So how deep should you plant mint?
Recommended Mint Planting Depth
The ideal depth to plant mint is 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This shallow depth prevents the plant from being buried too deep but also anchors the roots enough to establish the plant
Mint has a relatively shallow root system, only reaching about 2-24 inches deep. Planting mint too deep runs the risk of rotting the roots or preventing the plant from emerging. A 1/4 to 1/2 inch depth gives the roots room to spread horizontally.
Mint Growth Habits
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Mint grows via rhizomes – horizontal underground stems that put out roots and shoots
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The spreading rhizomes allow mint to aggressively colonize an area
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Mint stems can reach 1-3 feet tall depending on variety.
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Leaf shapes and flavors vary among the many mint species and cultivars.
Steps for Planting Mint
Follow these steps when planting mint to get it off to the best start:
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Choose a spot in full sun to partial shade with rich, moist soil. Mint thrives in damp areas.
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Prepare the soil by mixing in 1-2 inches of compost to improve drainage and nutrients.
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Dig a hole no deeper than 1/2 inch. The roots only need to be just under the surface.
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Carefully place the mint plant in the hole and fill in around the roots with soil.
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Water thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist for faster establishment.
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Consider sinking a container into the ground if planting mint in garden beds. This helps contain mint’s spread.
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Give 12-24 inches of space between mint plants depending on your variety.
Growing Mint in Containers
Container gardening is an excellent way to grow mint, especially if you want to curtail its spreading nature. Choose a pot at least 12 inches deep and 8 inches wide. Mint has fairly shallow roots but appreciates room to stretch out horizontally.
Use a quality potting mix and keep the soil evenly moist. Repot mint every 2-3 years before it becomes severely rootbound. Take stem cuttings to start new container plants.
Caring for Established Mint Plants
Once your mint is planted, be sure to care for it properly to keep it healthy:
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Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Letting mint wilt invites pests and diseases.
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Pinch off flower buds to encourage more leaf production.
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Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
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Prune mint often to promote bushier, tender new growth.
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Watch for pests like spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies.
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Clip off any discolored or unsightly leaves and stems.
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Cut mint back to 2 inches tall before winter. Mulch for protection in cold zones.
Key Takeaways on Mint Planting Depth
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Plant mint just 1/4 – 1/2 inch deep for optimal growth.
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Too deep of planting can rot the shallow roots. Too shallow leaves roots exposed.
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Prepare soil with compost and space plants 12-24 inches apart.
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Contain mint planted in beds to control spreading. Grow in pots to restrict roots.
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Keep soil consistently moist and prune for bushy growth.
Getting the mint planting depth just right, along with proper care, will result in a thriving, usable mint patch. Follow these tips for successfully growing and managing mint in your garden.
What and where to buy
Mint is widely available as young plants or plug plants in spring, from garden centres and online plant retailers. Many herb nurseries stock a particularly wide range of mint varieties. You may also find packeted seeds, but only a very limited selection, mainly just spearmint (garden mint). Still, it’s far simpler to just buy plants.
Mentha suaveolens A strong growing, erect, traditional cottage garden mint with a milder fruity… The
Mentha × piperita f. citrata Chocolate This one smells and… The
Mentha spicata Spearmint has bright green leaves with a nice texture. An all-purpose, medium-strong,…The
It’s quick and easy to grow mint from young plants and plug plants – they should settle in quickly and you can start harvesting the leaves in the first year. Mint can also be grown very easily from root cuttings or by dividing clumps (see Propagating, below) in a similar way. It’s generally not worth growing mint from seed, as germination can be slow and unreliable. But if you do want to give it a try, see our step-by-step guide to sowing seeds indoors. 4
Mint is very vigorous and will spread far and wide via thick creeping roots (rhizomes) if it’s planted straight into the ground. Instead, keep it constrained by planting either in a large pot or in a bottomless bucket sunk into the soil, with the rim above the surface to prevent shoots rooting over the top. Containers should be filled with multi-purpose or soil-based compost, while soil should ideally be fertile and free-draining, enriched garden compost – although mint is vigorous enough to cope in most types of soil, except waterlogged conditions. Mint is best planted in spring, although potted mint can be planted right through to autumn, except in hot dry spells. It is happy in full sun or partial shade. Water it well both before and after planting. See our guide to planting perennials and our video guide to planting herbs in pots. Avoid planting different varieties of mint close together, whether in pots or the ground, as they can lose their individual scent and flavour. 5
Mint is very low maintenance – simply harvest sprigs of young leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth, cut back after flowering and water if necessary in summer.
Water newly planted mint regularly for at least the first few months. For plenty of new young leaves, make sure mint doesn’t go short of water in hot, dry weather. Plants in containers can dry out quickly, so water them regularly throughout the growing season.
Related RHS Guides
Vegetables: watering
Lay a thick layer of mulch, such as garden compost, around clumps of mint to help hold moisture in the soil and stop it drying out in hot weather.
How to Grow TONS of Mint (And Not Let it Take Over)
FAQ
What month should you plant mint?
| Plant name | Zone | Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Mint | 4b | On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
| Mint | 5a | On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
| Mint | 5b | On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
| Mint | 6a | On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
How deep is the root barrier for mint?
Depth and Placement: Root barriers should be buried at least 12-18 inches deep to prevent rhizomes from sneaking underneath. Allow 1-2 inches of the barrier to extend above the soil line to stop runners from escaping over the top.
Where should you not plant mint?
Do not plant Mint in the ground near your vegetables in order to prevent it from taking over your vegetable crops. Use Mint foliage as mulch or keep it in pots.
Does mint like to be crowded?
Mint grown in pots should be divided every spring or when rootbound and repotted with fresh soil. It will fill its pot quickly and crowd itself out to the point of extinction.