How to Grow Mint
Mentha
Vigorous and nearly unkillable — just keep it contained or it takes over.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow — almost too easy. It spreads aggressively by underground runners and will colonize a bed if left unchecked, so the golden rule is to grow it in a container. It tolerates partial shade and moist soil better than most herbs, rewarding you with fragrant leaves all season.
When to plant and harvest mint
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Anytime; easiest from divisions/cuttings
Transplant outdoors
After frost
Direct sow
Possible but slow — most grow from plants
Harvest
All season
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How to grow mint step by step
- 1
Plant in a container or a buried, bottomless pot to contain its runners.
- 2
Site in full sun to partial shade with steady moisture.
- 3
Pinch tips to keep it bushy and harvest regularly.
- 4
Divide every couple of years to refresh vigor.
Common problems growing mint
⚠ Spreading everywhere
Always grow in containers — its runners will overtake a garden bed.
⚠ Rust (orange leaf pustules)
Improve airflow and cut back affected growth.
⚠ Leggy, sparse growth
Pinch tips and cut back hard mid-season to rejuvenate.
✓ Good companions for mint
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting mint
Snip sprigs anytime once the plant is established; cutting just above a leaf pair encourages bushier growth. A hard cutback mid-season brings a flush of fresh leaves.
Mint: frequently asked questions
When should you plant mint?＋
In most regions you start seeds indoors anytime; easiest from divisions/cuttings, then transplant after frost — or direct sow possible but slow — most grow from plants. Timing is relative to your last frost, so find your USDA hardiness zone for the exact planting dates where you live.
How do I stop mint from taking over?＋
Grow it in a pot — above ground or sunk into the bed. Its underground runners will otherwise spread through the whole garden.
Does mint grow in shade?＋
Yes — it tolerates partial shade better than most herbs, making it useful for less sunny spots.
Sources & review
Written and maintained by the Plants by Zone Editorial Team. Planting times are based on USDA hardiness zones and NOAA frost-date normals, with care guidance drawn from Cooperative Extension sources. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapNOAA U.S. climate normalsCooperative Extension
Grow mint in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside mint, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
