Growing Mint, also Garden mint

Mentha spicata : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S    
                    T T

(Best months for growing Mint in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Grow in trays and plant out or start from cuttings. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 21°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks. Cut leaves from top with scissors.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cabbages, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

29 Jul 15, Apples (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow you're everyday mint and chocolate mint.Smells great but no flavour,any ideas?
21 Jul 15, Louise (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
need to know after it flowers is it still good in canada???
21 Jul 15, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
You will find that there are less leaves after flowering but they are still useable
03 Nov 14, (Australia - arid climate)
How do I stop the caterpillar from eating my mint?
27 Oct 14, (Australia - arid climate)
Adelaide- I know the green grubs well....I've found that a gentle shake will dislodge the grubs making them easier to find. My question is......does anyone know the moth- butterfly responsible
26 Jun 14, louisa (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
something is eating my mint. any organic bug killer available? thank you
21 Jul 14, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Dipel or catapiller killer, is certified organic, it works by rotting the gut of the catapiller. They stop eating the plant straight away and die within 3-4 days, also non toxic when the birds eat them after
16 May 14, Andryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have a few pots of mint plants, and I notice since around Feb or March that my mint leaves have been very tiny and some of them even have a bare stalk closer to the ground. I water them almost everynight and they have access to plenty of sunlight. I didn't put any ferteliser on it because the last time I put ferteliser on it, they all flower and I have to pick and discard all the flowers (can I do something about the flower?). I was wondering what have I been doing wrong and what can I do to make remedy this situations? Thank you guys
22 Feb 14, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing mint in a Grow Bag and it's flourishing but there are strange little silver-white streaks on most of the older leaves. I pick the good, young leaves but would love to know what is causing this. It doesn't look like a fungus. My local nurseryman says he thinks it's some sort of insect. Any organic solutions?
10 Feb 14, Jennifer Ellen Flides (Australia - temperate climate)
I have green caterpillars on my mint....I spray the mint plant with Pyretherum..but, these pests persist! What else can I do please..??
Showing 61 - 70 of 96 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Mint

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.