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Herbs

Mint growing guide

Vigorous spreading herb with dozens of varieties. Extremely invasive — always grow in a container or with root barriers. Excellent pest deterrent and attracts beneficial insects.

Photo reference

Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.

Mint real-world photo reference (Mentha spicata)
Wikimedia Commons · Humoyun Mehridinov · CC BY-SA 4.0
10-16 daysGermination
30-40 daysHarvest
30 cmSpacing
0.5 cmSow depth
Full/PartSun
HardyFrost
2 cm/weekWater
6-7pH

Planting calendar by climate

Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.

ClimateSowTransplant / PlantHarvest
TropicalJan - DecJan - DecJan - Dec
SubtropicalJan - DecJan - DecJan - Dec
MediterraneanFeb - OctFeb - OctMar - Nov
TemperateMar - OctMar - OctApr - Nov
CoolMar - SepMar - SepApr - Oct
AridMar - OctMar - OctApr - Nov

Botanical reference

Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Mint should look like as it grows.

Mint whole plant

Whole plant

Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.

Mint leaf detail

Leaf detail

Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.

Mint flower detail

Flower detail

Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.

Mint harvest / detail

Harvest / detail

Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.

Cooking and eating ideas

A quick garden-to-table guide for using Mint after harvest.

Raw / fresh

Use fresh leaves raw as garnish, in salads, dressings, pestos, chutneys, teas, and herb sauces.

Cooked

Add near the end of cooking to soups, curries, stir-fries, eggs, noodles, or sauces to keep aroma bright.

Store / preserve

Freeze, dry, make pesto, herb oil, vinegar, infused salt, or paste.

Try: Fresh garnish, Pesto or chutney, Herb tea, Infused oil.

Good companions

Tomato, Peas, Cabbage, Brassicas

Avoid near

No avoid list yet.

Growing note

Grow in a buried pot to contain spreading roots.

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