Mint Growing Guide
Growing Mint is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Growing Zones
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Growing Season
Cool & Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
30 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Mint?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Mint Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Mint's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 10–16 days
Growing Tips
- 1Plant mint in a spot with partial to full sunlight, ensuring it gets at least 4-6 hours of sun daily.
- 2Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, watering when the top inch feels dry.
- 3Use well-draining soil and space plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- 4To control pests, regularly check for aphids and use insecticidal soap if needed.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~90
Days to Maturity
60 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
90 days
When to Pick
Snip leaves frequently to promote growth
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot, when the leaves are vibrant and aromatic.
- 2Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut stems about 1 inch above a leaf node to encourage new growth.
- 3Avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to prevent stress and ensure continued growth.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your mint plant is easy and rewarding! Simply let your mint flower and wait for the blooms to dry out on the plant—this is when the seeds are ready. Gently snip off the dried flower heads and place them in a paper bag. Give the bag a gentle shake to release the tiny seeds, then separate them from any leftover plant material. Store your mint seeds in a labeled envelope or small jar, and keep them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant again. With just a little patience, you’ll have your own homegrown mint seeds ready for next season—anyone can do it!
Seed Production
Ready to grow this?
Get started with Limitless Growth.
Save this guide, see exactly when to plant mint where you grow, and start the 5-step course we wrote for first-time growers.
Get started →
