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The Culinary Herb Garden

A guide to growing and enjoying herbs in the home kitchen garden

All About Garden Mint: A Refreshing and Fast Growing Herb

Last Updated: January 12, 2022 By Virginia

cupping large mint leaves in hand that is growing in garden

Mentha

Learn all about the culinary herb mint. How to grow, harvest and preserve mint in the home garden. Plus ideas to use mint leaves in cooking and tea.

Mint is one of those herbs that gardeners either love or hate to grow.

Known as a voracious spreader, mint can take over your whole garden if left unattended. Since mint grows so easily, it is a great choice for beginning gardeners.

large stems of mint on a table - title - All About the Herb Mint - Growing, Harvesting and Caring for Mint in the Garden

Table of Contents

  • Growing Mint
    • Ideal Location for Growing Mint
    • Cultivation/Planting Information
    • Common Problems when Growing Mint
  • Varieties of Mint
    • Where To Buy Mint Plants and Seeds
  • Cooking With Mint
  • Harvesting Mint
  • Preserving Mint
  • Mint Uses in Herbal Medicine and Health Benefits
  • In Summary

Growing Mint

Mint is a hardy perennial which will last for many years in the garden. To prevent mint from spreading too much, mint can be left in the pot when planting in the ground. Allow about 1 inch of soil to cover the top of the pot so moisture will flow freely into your planted pot.

Ideal Location for Growing Mint

Mint prefers a lightly shaded area with moist but not wet soil. If given enough moisture or protected with a mulch, mint can also thrive in full sun.

Cultivation/Planting Information

Mint is most often transplanted in the garden as young plants or divisions. Mint is also easily grown from cuttings since it is such a vigorous grower.

transplanting mint from a container into the ground

If desired, mint can also be grown from seed. Seeds should be sown in the early spring. Plant in rich moist soil about ¼ inch deep, then covered with soil. After plants reach the seedling stage and have a few true leaves, space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.

Don’t apply too much organic matter to the soil as mint can develop rust problems. When planting or dividing a medium-fertility soil improver can be added. In the fall, mint can be cut to the ground level. Divide plants every 2 to 3 years.

This plant spreads primarily by runners growing underground. It is often recommended to keep mint confined to containers to limit its reach in your garden.

Organic gardeners may choose to let it spread into the lawn or grow wild next to the house. Mint is known to repel pests such as mice and other pests, so it can be used as a form of organic pest control.  It also smells wonderful when cut by the lawnmower.  🙂

Common Problems when Growing Mint

Mint is susceptible to rust, verticillium wilt, and mint anthracnose, a form of mint fungus. Common pests include spider mites, flea beetles, root borers, grasshoppers, and cutworms.

Varieties of Mint

several varieties of mint on a wooden background

There are many popular varieties of mint each with its own unique flavor and scent.

Peppermint is the most popular of the mint varieties. Growing between 1-2 feet tall, peppermint has purple-tinged leaves and stems. Peppermint has the strongest flavor of the mints so is best suited to desserts or herbal applications.

Spearmint is another popular mint grown in the herb garden. The crinkly leaves are a brighter green with hints of yellow. Spearmint is favored in most culinary recipes since the flavor is milder than peppermint.

Chocolate mint has a darker rich color and really does smell like chocolate. It’s perfect for flavoring ice cream, beverages, and confections. Apple or pineapple mint has a sweetly fruity taste with hairy leaves. Orange mint is becoming more popular with its citrusy taste it can be substituted in any recipe calling for peppermint.

Additional varieties of mint include orange mint, water mint, pennyroyal, and ginger mint.

Where To Buy Mint Plants and Seeds

Mint plants and seeds can be found at most garden shops, home improvement, and even grocery stores. Most often you will find Peppermint or Spearmint in local stores, although an increasing number of garden centers have started to carry additional varieties.

Mint can also be purchased at online stores such as Burpee Gardening. When looking for more unique varieties you will most often find plants for sale instead of seeds.

Cooking With Mint

Spearmint is most often used in recipes since it has a milder flavor. Mint can easily overpower other flavors, so it’s good practice to add this herb a little at a time, tasting as you go.

Dried mint is not quite as strong and is used in many Eastern and Mediterranean recipes. Popular combinations include lamb with mint jelly or minted peas.

dessert with whipped cream berries and mint leaves as a topping
Mint makes an excellent garnish on cakes and desserts

Peppermint is excellent when added to teas, candies, and desserts. Whole leaves can be added to lemonade or the leaves can be crushed or muddled with sugar.

Harvesting Mint

Mint leaves can be harvested at any time. Cut fresh stems, then run the mint under cold water and pat dry.

Mint is best used fresh. You can store cut mint stems in a glass of water for several days before it begins to droop.

Preserving Mint

Drying is a popular way to preserve mint. Hang full branches to dry for ten to fourteen days in a warm, well-ventilated location. Once dry, crush the leaves and remove the stems.  

Store dried mint in an air-tight container. Dried mint will keep its flavor for up to a year.

Mint Uses in Herbal Medicine and Health Benefits

Peppermint is used more often as a medicinal herb rather than Spearmint, which is mostly a culinary herb. However, if a less potent remedy is desired, spearmint is a good substitute.

Mint has been known to soothe toothaches, ease digestive troubles and treat colic in children. Mint tea can be made from fresh or dried leaves. This makes a tasty and refreshing after-dinner beverage to calm the stomach.

Honey mint tea
Mint can be used in teas to soothe the stomach

Mint is used as an aromatic herb in scented sachets and potpourris. Mint is also used as a cooling agent and is popular in pain-relieving lotions or facials to cleanse the skin.

In Summary

Mint is a popular culinary herb most used in flavoring candies, teas, and jellies. It’s one of the most vigorous growers in the garden but is also suited to container growing.

While peppermint and spearmint are the most popular varieties, there is an amazing range of flavors being developed that are worth a try. Why not add a bit of apple, orange, or chocolate peppermint to your garden this year?

Filed Under: Growing Guides on Specific Herbs Tagged With: mint, perennial herbs

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