Mint

Introduction

Mint is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs to grow in the UK. Highly aromatic, fast-growing, and available in dozens of varieties - from classic spearmint to apple, chocolate, and ginger mint. It’s a staple for drinks, cooking, and herbal remedies. Hardy and reliable, mint will return year after year with minimal effort.

However, mint is also fairly invasive, spreading rapidly through underground runners. For this reason, it’s almost always best grown in containers, sunken pots, or raised beds with barriers, rather than directly in open soil. With good containment and simple care, mint will thrive from spring to autumn and provide a constant supply of fresh leaves.

Types and Timing

Mint comes in many cultivars, each with slightly different flavour profiles and growth habits:

Common varieties:

• Spearmint - classic flavour; great all-rounder.

• Peppermint -strong, menthol-rich; ideal for teas.

• Apple mint -mild flavour, fuzzy leaves, tall habit.

• Moroccan mint - traditional for mint tea, vigorous.

• Chocolate mint -dessert-friendly, rich aroma.

Growth habits:

• Spreading perennials - nearly all mints spread through rhizomes.

• Clump-forming hybrids - slightly more compact but will still travel.

Timing:

• Plant or pot up mint in spring (March–May).

• Divide or propagate from early spring to early summer.

• Mint grows fastest in late spring and summer and may die back over winter before re-sprouting in spring.

Site and Soil Requirements

Mint is forgiving, but the right conditions help maximise flavour and leaf production.

Light:

• Prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade - especially useful in hot summers.

Soil:

• Moist, fertile, and well-drained.

• Neutral to slightly alkaline soils are ideal.

IMPORTANT - Containment:

• Mint should not be planted directly in open ground unless you are happy for it to spread aggressively.

• Plant in containers, raised beds with barriers, or sunken pots with at least 2-3 cm of the rim above soil level to stop runners escaping.

Containers:

• Use a pot 25-30 cm deep and wide.

• Ensure good drainage and use peat-free multipurpose compost.

Propagation & Planting

Mint is easy to start and even easier to multiply.

Propagation methods:

• Division: Split established clumps in spring - fastest and most reliable method.

• Cuttings: Softwood cuttings root rapidly in water or compost.

• Seed: Possible but less common; seed-grown plants may vary from parent types.

Planting:

• Plant container-grown mint in spring once risk of frost has passed.

• If sinking a pot into a bed, leave several centimetres of rim exposed to prevent escape.

• Space multiple pots at least 30-40 cm apart to allow airflow and avoid mildew.

Succession / Renewing plants:

• Mint becomes woody and tired after 2–3 years.

• Refresh by dividing and replanting sections into fresh compost.

Growing & Maintenance

Mint thrives with minimal fuss but benefits from consistent care.

Watering:

• Keep soil evenly moist - mint dislikes drying out.

• Container plants may need watering every 1-2 days in hot weather.

Mulching:

• Light mulch (compost, leaf mould) helps retain moisture.

Feeding:

• Feed sparingly. Too much nitrogen leads to weak flavour.

• A light monthly feed of liquid seaweed in summer is usually enough.

Pruning & shaping:

• Regular harvesting encourages bushy growth.

• Pinch out flower buds to maintain leaf quality.

• Cut back hard in mid-summer if it becomes leggy; it will regrow strongly.

Winter care:

• Mint dies back naturally in winter.

• Leave roots undisturbed - new shoots emerge in spring.

• In very cold areas, shelter pots from frost to protect roots.

Harvest and Post-Harvest

Harvesting:

• Start picking once plants reach 10-15 cm tall.

• Take shoot tips rather than individual leaves for better regrowth.

Timing:

• Peak quality is late spring through mid-summer.

• Leaves toughen slightly after flowering but remain usable.

Frequency:

• Little and often - regular cutting keeps plants productive.

Storage:

• Mint wilts quickly; use fresh for the best flavour.

• For longer storage:

  • Refrigerate stems in a jar of water.

  • Freeze chopped leaves or whole sprigs.

  • Dry bunches in a warm, airy room (though dried mint loses some potency).

Troubleshooting & Pests

Mint rust:

• Orange pustules on leaves; remove affected stems and avoid wet, congested growth.

• Replace plants entirely if infection is severe.

Powdery mildew:

• White powder on leaves, usually in dry or stagnant conditions.

• Improve airflow, water regularly, and cut back hard.

Aphids:

• Wash off with water or use biological controls.

Weak flavour:

• Often from overfeeding, lack of sun, or plants that have become too woody.

• Divide and repot to rejuvenate.

Invasive spreading:

• Happens only when grown in open soil - use containers or root barriers.

Tips from Growers / FAQs

Should I plant mint directly in the ground?
No - mint spreads aggressively and quickly becomes invasive. Only plant in soil if using a buried pot or physical barrier.

Best varieties for beginners:
Spearmint, Moroccan mint, and peppermint are reliable and easy.

Companion planting:
Mint can repel pests like ants and aphids, but keep it in a pot if placing near vegetables to prevent takeover.

Improving flavour:
Harvest early morning and water consistently.

Reviving tired plants:
Cut back to a few inches and apply a thin layer of compost—mint rebounds fast.

Winter survival:
Mint is hardy; top growth dies, but roots survive and re-sprout in spring.

Resources & References

• RHS – Grow Your Own Mint

• BBC Gardeners’ World - How to Grow Mint

• GrowVeg.co.uk – How to Contain Mint

• Soil Association – Organic Herb Growing Guide