Mint is one of the most popular and versatile herbs to grow. With its aromatic leaves and refreshing flavor, it’s an essential addition to any herb garden But before you can reap the benefits of homegrown mint, you first need to find out where you can purchase high-quality mint plants This guide will provide tips on the best places to buy mint plants and key factors to consider when selecting your herbs.
Overview of Mint
Mint belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family, with over 15-20 species and countless hybrids. Some of the most common types include peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint, orange mint, and apple mint. The plants are known for their vigorous, spreading growth habit and square stems. Mint thrives in zones 3-11 and prefers moist, well-draining soil.
When crushed or brushed against, the leaves release a refreshing menthol scent. Mint is most valued for its culinary uses and medicinal properties. The leaves add flavor to teas, cocktails, jellies, salads, desserts, and more. Mint may also help aid digestion, alleviate headaches, and repel pests when grown in the garden.
Where to Buy Mint Plants
When looking to purchase mint plants, you generally have three options:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Visiting your local nursery is one of the best ways to select healthy mint plants in-person. Reputable garden centers typically offer a nice variety of mint types to choose from. You can check the plants for signs of pests, diseases, and overall vigor before purchasing. Additionally, the staff can provide useful care tips and variety recommendations for your region. The downside is local inventory can be limited based on the growing season.
Online Herb Retailers
Purchasing mint plants from an online retailer allows you convenient access to a huge selection of mint varieties from the comfort of home, Retailers like The Growers Exchange offer over 30 types of mint plants ready to be shipped at the optimal planting time for your growing zone, Buying online also gives you access to hard-to-find mint varieties Just be sure to buy from a retailer with excellent customer reviews and a strong guarantee
Big Box Stores
Major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a basic selection of popular mint varieties like peppermint and spearmint in their garden centers. The plants are readily available for impulse purchases. However, the quality and selection is not on par with dedicated nurseries. Mass-produced plants from big box stores are more prone to disease and may not thrive as well long-term.
What to Look for When Buying Mint Plants
To ensure you find healthy mint plants suited for your needs, keep the following tips in mind:
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Inspect the leaves and stems – Choose plants with green leaves and no signs of wilting, yellowing, spots, or damage. Avoid plants with leggy stems.
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Check for rootbound plants – Gently remove the plant from the container to inspect the roots. Avoid plants with excessive spiraling roots circling the container edges.
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Seek out established plants – Mature mint plants with an existing root system adapt better after transplanting than small starter plants.
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Buy from zone appropriate nurseries – The plants will be better adapted to thrive in your specific environment.
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Verify the mint variety – Taste a leaf or check the label to ensure you’re getting the mint variety you want.
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Purchase disease-free plants – Inspect for any white fungal powder, chewed leaves, or abnormalities indicating disease.
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Consider organic and non-GMO – For plants grown without harmful chemicals or genetic modifications.
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Read seller reviews – Opt for online sellers rated highly by other buyers to avoid scams or poor-quality plants.
When to Purchase Mint Plants
Spring and fall are the best seasons to buy and plant mint in most regions. If purchasing online, aim to receive and plant the mint 1-2 weeks before the last expected frost date in spring or when daytime temperatures are steadily 60-75°F in fall. Container grown mint from nurseries can be planted any time during the growing season. Just be sure to water transplants frequently until established.
Where to Plant Your New Mint
Once you have your mint plants, avoid directly planting them in the ground, especially if you have limited garden space. Mint’s aggressive spreading roots can quickly take over your beds! Instead, contain mint by planting in pots or garden boxes.
For in-ground planting, space mints 18-24 inches apart in beds bordered by steel edging or buried containers to block spreading. Choose a spot with full sun and moist, fertile soil enriched with compost or organic matter. Make sure the area drains well to prevent root rot.
Mint also thrives planted in containers at least 12 inches deep. Use a quality potting mix and place the pots in a sunny spot. Keep the soil consistently moist. Grow mint alone or pair with other herbs like thyme and oregano that won’t mind its encroaching roots.
Caring for Store Bought Mint Plants
After purchasing and transplanting your new mint, give the plants a little extra care to help them over the initial shock:
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Water thoroughly right after planting and mist leaves to reduce transplant stress.
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Apply a balanced organic fertilizer a week after planting to stimulate growth.
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Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top few inches become dry. Prioritize consistent moisture.
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Cut back any leggy or damaged stems and remove flowers to encourage leaf growth.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases. Treat any issues promptly.
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Cut back on watering once mint is established, usually 4-6 weeks after planting.
With the proper growing conditions and a little patience, your store bought mint will flourish! Enjoy harvesting mint’s aromatic leaves all season long once your plants are happy and established.
Ready to Buy Mint Plants? Shop Top Sellers Online
Now that you know where and how to source quality mint plants, you’re ready to start shopping! Browse this selection of top-rated mint plants available to purchase online and have delivered directly to your door:
[Photo grid of mint plants for sale]
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Peppermint – The most popular mint, loved for its cool and refreshing flavor. Grows 2-3 feet tall.
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Spearmint – Known for its sweeter flavor and frequent use in mojitos. Grows 2-4 feet tall.
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Chocolate Mint – Mint variety with delicious chocolate notes. Grows 1-2 feet tall.
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Orange Mint – Features bright citrus notes. Grows up to 2 feet tall.
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Mojito Mint – Traditionally used in mojitos. Forms wider, bushier plants up to 3-4 feet tall.
Don’t wait to get your mint planting going. Visit The Growers Exchange or your favorite online nursery to order top-quality, organically grown mint plants shipped directly to your door. With the right online retailer, it’s simple and affordable to purchase mint varieties rarely found at local stores.
Bring the Aroma and Flavor of Fresh Mint to Your Home
Adding mint plants to your indoor and outdoor spaces allows you to enjoy the aroma, flavor, and beauty of this versatile herb fresh from your garden. While it may spread vigorously in the ground, mint is easy to contain in pots or garden beds edged with a physical barrier. Do your research to find high-quality mint plants from the most reputable online and local sources. With proper care after transplanting, your new mint will establish quickly and provide an abundant harvest of leaves all season long.
Soil, Planting, and Care for Growing Mint
First, start off strong by planting young Bonnie Plants® mint plants. After all, you cant go wrong with a company thats been supplying plants to home gardeners for over 100 years! Plant mint in the spring, or in the fall in frost-free climates, setting seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. Try growing mint in a pot where you can keep it in check and handy near the kitchen for a constant supply of sprigs. To give roots a just-right growing environment, fill the pot with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix, which contains aged compost to improve soil texture and nutrition. To keep mint from taking over space needed by other plants, you may want to plant it solo in a 10″ pot, then plant the pot in a larger container or even in the ground. Give the pot a turn every week or two to keep roots from escaping through the drainage holes.
If you simply must plant mint directly in the ground (if youre using it as a ground cover, for example), select a damp area in your garden or yard in either full sun or part shade. Mint prefers fertile soil with a pH from 6.0 to 7.0. If you dont choose to test your soil, you can simply improve it by adding a few inches of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil, also enriched with aged compost, in with the top layer of existing soil.
Mint is plenty vigorous on its own, but will grow even better when you pair great soil with regular doses of plant food, especially if you harvest a lot. Feed with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition (follow label directions), which feeds the soil as well as the plants. Be sure to keep the soil moist via regular watering and add mulch around the plant to help slow the evaporation of all that crucial moisture.
To help keep plants in check, harvest the tips regularly and pull up wayward runners. Mints small flowers bloom from June to September; trim these before the buds open to keep the plant compact. Although slightly frost tolerant, the top of mint will eventually die back in winter except in zones 8 and south, but the root are quite hardy, surviving into zone 5 (some varieties even into zone 3). Lift and replant your mint every 3 to 4 years to keep your patchs flavor and scent strong.
How to Harvest Mint
Harvest mint leaves at any size by pinching off stems. For a large harvest, wait until just before the plant blooms, when the flavour is most intense, then cut the whole plant to just above the first or second set of leaves. In the process, you will remove the yellowing lower leaves and promote bushier growth. Three such harvests per season are typical for mint.
How to Grow TONS of Mint (And Not Let it Take Over)
FAQ
What is the best month to plant mint?
| Plant name | Zone | Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Mint | 3a | On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
| Mint | 3b | On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
| Mint | 4a | On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
| Mint | 4b | On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) |
Do mint plants keep mosquitoes away?
When can you buy mint plants?
Mint is widely available as young plants or plug plants in spring, from garden centres and online plant retailers.
Does mint grow back every year?
While most types of mint are botanically perennial plants, meaning they can grow back in spring, whether or not you’ll need to buy new plants depends on your growing zone and the care you gave your plants.