Omari Gates
Mint is an easy herb to grow in Australia, thriving in spring and summer and growing well through winter. It's best to grow mint in its own pot, planter or garden bed to contain it as it can rapidly take over. Mint can be grown from seeds, cuttings or potted plants. It grows well in moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Mint is prone to several plant diseases, such as verticillium wilt, mint rust and anthracnose, and pests such as spider mites, flea beetles, aphids and cutworms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of growing | Easy |
| Best time to grow | Spring and summer |
| Grows in winter | Yes, but not as well as in other seasons |
| Pests | Maggots, white flies, spider mites, flea beetles, aphids, cutworms, mint beetle |
| Diseases | Verticillium wilt, mint rust, anthracnose |
| Frost tolerance | Yes |
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil type | Moist, well-drained, fertile |
| Soil temperature | 21°C to 24°C |
| Growth rate | Rapid |
| Growth containment | Pots, containers, bottomless buckets |
| Transplant height | 10 cm |
| Harvest time | 8-12 weeks |
| Harvest method | Cut leaves with scissors |
| Compatible plants | Cabbages, tomatoes |
| Minimum pot width | 30 cm |
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What You'll Learn
Mint grows well in pots, containers and planters
Mint is a hardy perennial herb that grows well in pots, containers, and planters. It is easy to grow and care for, making it perfect for new gardeners. Here are some tips for growing mint in these containers:
Choosing a Container
Use a pot, container, or planter that is at least 12 to 16 inches (30 cm) wide and has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging. If you are using a pot, choose one made of plastic or a similar material instead of ceramic, as ceramic pots can crack during freeze-thaw cycles in winter.
Soil and Planting
Mint will grow in any soil type, even clay, but it prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Add some organic matter or compost to the soil before planting to improve its quality. When planting, place the mint plant in the centre of the pot and gently tease the roots if they are pot-bound. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Maintenance
Mint requires regular watering, especially during dry months, as it does not like to dry out. You can also add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed your mint fortnightly with a liquid fertilizer during spring, summer, and autumn. Prune your mint regularly to stimulate new growth and keep it contained.
Propagation
Mint can be grown from seeds, but it is faster and more reliable to propagate it from cuttings or young plants. To grow from cuttings, take a cutting from an established mint plant and place it in a glass of water until roots form, then transplant it into your pot. Mint is invasive and can quickly take over, so it is best to give it its own dedicated pot or planter to keep its growth contained.
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Mint can be grown from seeds, cuttings or potted plants
Mint is an easy herb to grow and care for, and it can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or potted plants.
Seeds
Mint seeds can be sown year-round, but it is best to avoid extreme heat or cold conditions. Sow the seeds into punnets or small pots filled with a seed-raising mix, scattering a few seeds on top and covering them lightly with more mix. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and the seeds should germinate in 10-14 days. Once the seedlings are about 10cm tall, transplant them into their final growing spot.
Cuttings
Mint is also easy to grow from cuttings. Take 10-15cm tip cuttings from an established mint plant and place them in a glass of water on a windowsill to root. Alternatively, fill a small pot with commercial potting soil, make a hole, and insert the cutting before firming the soil around it. Keep the pot in indirect sunlight and water as needed to keep the soil moist. Once the cutting has established roots, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or garden bed.
Potted Plants
When planting a potted mint plant, choose a full sun to shade position with moist, well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the original pot and the same depth, and mix in some fertiliser and soil improver. Remove the mint plant from its nursery pot and place it into the planting hole, teasing the roots gently first if they are pot-bound. Water it well and mulch around the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
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Mint thrives in moist, well-drained soil
When planting mint, it is recommended to add mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. The soil should be fertile and well-drained, and the plant should be placed in a full sun to partial shade position. Mint grows well in most soil types, including clay, but it is beneficial to add organic matter or compost to the soil before planting.
To grow mint from seeds, use punnets or small pots filled with a seed-raising mix. Scatter the seeds on the surface and cover them with a thin layer of potting mix. Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate, which typically takes around 10 to 14 days. Once the seedlings reach about 10 cm in height, they can be transplanted into their final growing spot.
Mint can also be easily grown from cuttings. To propagate from cuttings, fill a small pot with commercial potting soil, ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole. Take stem cuttings from the tips of the mint plant's stems, removing the leaves from the lower half of the cuttings. Dip the stems in rooting hormone if available, although this is not essential. Make a hole in the potting soil, insert the cutting, and gently firm the soil around it. Keep the pot and cuttings in indirect sunlight, watering as needed to maintain moist soil.
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Mint grows best in full sun to partial shade
Mint is easy to grow and care for and is perfect for new gardeners. It grows well in most gardens because it is usually not affected by pests and diseases. However, it can be affected by mint rust, verticillium wilt, and anthracnose. Mint also attracts beneficial insects to the garden, such as hoverflies, lacewings, bees, and butterflies.
Mint can be grown in pots outdoors or indoors. In warmer regions, mint can be planted at any time, but it requires protection from the scorching afternoon sun. It also needs adequate moisture as it does not like to dry out. In cooler regions, it is best to plant mint in spring when there is no danger of frost. Mint will happily grow in any soil type, but it is a good idea to add some organic matter to the soil before planting.
To plant mint, fill a small pot with commercial potting soil, making sure the pot has a drainage hole. Take 3- to 5-inch stem cuttings from the tips of a mint plant's stems and remove the leaves from the lower half of the cuttings. Dip the stems in rooting hormone if you have it, but it is not essential. Make a hole in the potting soil, insert the cutting, and firm the soil around it. Keep the pot and cuttings in indirect sunlight and water as needed to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
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Mint is prone to pests and diseases
Mint is a hardy herb that can thrive in various environments, but it is still prone to pests and diseases. While mint is not usually affected by pests and diseases, whiteflies are one problem you might encounter. These can be controlled by hosing them off the plants and hanging yellow sticky strips nearby. Mint planted near a vegetable patch can also help keep pests away.
Spider mites are another common pest for mint plants. Signs of spider mites include leaves speckled with yellow spots and thin webbing. Other pests that may affect mint plants include loopers, which cause missing or large holes in foliage, and flea beetles, which leave clusters of small holes in foliage.
Aphids are another potential pest, characterised by small, soft-bodied insects on the underside of leaves and/or stems of the plant. They are usually green or yellow but can also be pink, brown, red, or black. Heavy aphid infestations can cause leaves to yellow and become distorted, with necrotic spots and stunted shoots. Aphids also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew.
Other pests that may affect mint include tiny flies that lay their eggs in the growing tips of the plant, causing the tiny terminal leaves to stick together. The eggs hatch into maggots, which can be about 1 mm long and cause the tips of the plant to turn brown and die.
In addition to pests, mint is also susceptible to several plant diseases, such as verticillium wilt, mint rust, and anthracnose. If these diseases occur, it is recommended to remove the affected plants and plant new, healthy ones in a different spot to prevent the disease from spreading.
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Frequently asked questions
Mint is easy to grow from cuttings. Take a 10-15cm cutting from a mint plant and place it in a glass of water on a windowsill until it develops roots. Then, transfer the cutting to a pot with drainage holes and commercial potting soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Mint grows vigorously and can quickly take over a garden bed, so it's best to use a pot that is at least 30cm wide and deep.
Mint grows well in any type of soil but thrives in moist, well-drained soil that has been enriched with compost. Keep the soil moist and water regularly during dry periods.
Mint is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but white flies can sometimes be a problem. These can be controlled by hosing them off the plants and hanging yellow sticky strips nearby. Mint rust is another common disease that affects mint plants, causing swollen stems and orange spots on the leaves. If your plant gets mint rust, it should be dug up and disposed of, and the spot should not be used for planting mint or other herbs for at least three years.
