Mint is one of the most popular herbs grown in UK gardens, known for its fresh aroma, invigorating flavour and wide range of culinary and medicinal uses. From mint tea to roast lamb, mojitos to summer desserts, mint brings a bright note that elevates food and drink. Beyond the kitchen, mint has a long history of use in traditional remedies, while its fragrance makes it a natural choice for scented gardens. Planting mint successfully requires understanding both its vigorous growth habit and its simple needs. Although it is easy to grow, mint can quickly take over a garden if not managed carefully, so learning how to plant mint properly is essential.
Understanding mint plants
Mint belongs to the genus Mentha and includes many different species and hybrids. Spearmint and peppermint are the most common varieties grown in UK gardens, but there are many others including apple mint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint and ginger mint. Each has its own unique aroma and flavour, though all share the same vigorous creeping root system. Mint spreads rapidly through underground runners, making it both a delight and a challenge for gardeners. Knowing this growth habit is key to planting mint in a way that keeps it under control.
Choosing mint varieties
Before planting, it is worth considering which type of mint best suits your needs. Spearmint has a sweet, mild flavour ideal for cooking and drinks. Peppermint is sharper and stronger, often used for teas and medicinal preparations. Apple mint has a subtle fruity note and attractive downy leaves, while chocolate mint carries a hint of cocoa. Pineapple mint adds a variegated look to the garden, with green and cream leaves that provide ornamental value as well as flavour. Many gardeners choose to grow more than one type, each offering different culinary possibilities.
Selecting the right site
Mint grows best in moist but well drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. It is adaptable and tolerant, thriving in most garden soils as long as conditions are not too dry. A position with some protection from strong winds prevents the stems from breaking, and access to consistent moisture is ideal. Mint can be grown in beds, herb gardens, containers or even indoors on a sunny windowsill. Because of its invasive nature, many gardeners choose to restrict mint to pots or raised beds to prevent it from overwhelming other plants.
Preparing the soil
Mint thrives in soil that has been enriched with compost or well rotted manure. Although it is not fussy, it performs best in fertile ground with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Before planting in open ground, dig over the soil, remove weeds and add organic matter to improve structure and fertility. Good drainage is important, as waterlogged conditions can damage the roots. In containers, a good quality multi purpose compost works well, ideally with added grit for drainage.
How to plant mint in the ground
When planting mint in garden beds, it is advisable to confine its roots to prevent spreading. One method is to sink a bottomless pot or bucket into the soil, leaving the rim slightly above ground level, and plant the mint inside this barrier. This prevents the runners from spreading unchecked. Mint plants should be spaced about thirty to forty five centimetres apart to allow for bushy growth. Plant at the same depth as the pot the mint came in, firm the soil gently and water well to settle it in place.
Planting mint in containers
Mint is ideally suited to container growing, which makes it easier to manage. Choose a pot at least twenty five centimetres wide and deep to give the roots space to spread. Fill it with compost mixed with a little grit for drainage, and plant the mint in the centre. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Container growing has the advantage of portability, allowing you to place the mint near the kitchen or move it to a sheltered spot in winter. Mint in pots will need regular feeding and dividing every couple of years to maintain vigour.
Propagating mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to propagate. It can be grown from seed, but because many varieties are hybrids, they often do not come true. Instead, most gardeners propagate mint from cuttings, division or rooted runners. Taking stem cuttings in spring or summer and rooting them in water or compost is a quick way to create new plants. Division is also simple, as clumps of mint can be lifted and split into smaller sections to be replanted elsewhere. This ensures a steady supply of healthy new plants.
Watering and feeding
Mint enjoys consistently moist soil, so regular watering is essential, particularly in hot or dry weather. Mulching with compost or leaf mould helps retain moisture in the ground. Container grown mint dries out more quickly and should be watered whenever the top of the compost begins to dry. Mint is not a heavy feeder, but applying a liquid fertiliser every few weeks during the growing season encourages lush growth. Feeding is particularly important for plants grown in pots, where nutrients are quickly depleted.
Caring for mint plants
Mint benefits from regular harvesting, which keeps the plant bushy and prevents it from becoming leggy. Pinching out the tips encourages new shoots and a more compact shape. To maintain strong growth, cut back the entire plant to ground level once or twice during the growing season. This rejuvenates the plant and ensures a steady supply of fresh leaves. Left unchecked, mint can become straggly, but with regular care, it remains vigorous and attractive.
Managing mint’s spread
One of the main challenges of planting mint is preventing it from taking over. In open ground, mint quickly spreads through underground runners, crowding out other plants. Using barriers such as sunken pots or raised beds is one way to control it. Alternatively, planting mint in containers keeps it neatly contained. Gardeners who enjoy the plant’s vigour can dedicate a section of the garden to mint, allowing it to naturalise and spread freely.
Harvesting mint
Mint leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant has produced enough foliage to support itself, usually a few weeks after planting. Young, tender leaves have the best flavour. Regular harvesting encourages further growth, so do not hesitate to pick frequently. Mint leaves can be used fresh, dried or frozen. Drying involves hanging sprigs upside down in a cool, dark place, while freezing involves chopping the leaves and placing them in ice cube trays with water. Both methods preserve mint for use outside the growing season.
Overwintering mint
Mint is a hardy perennial that survives UK winters, though growth slows or dies back during the colder months. In beds, mint usually re emerges in spring with renewed vigour. In containers, plants benefit from being moved to a sheltered spot and given some protection from prolonged frost. Cutting back old stems in autumn and mulching lightly around the base helps the plant overwinter successfully.
Common problems with mint
Mint is generally resilient but can be affected by pests and diseases. Mint rust is a fungal disease that causes orange pustules on the leaves. Affected plants should be cut back hard to ground level, and new growth often recovers. Aphids sometimes gather on tender shoots, but these can usually be controlled by natural predators or washing them off with water. Slugs and snails may feed on young plants, though damage is rarely severe. Healthy, well managed mint is usually robust against most problems.
The uses of mint
The versatility of mint is one of its greatest strengths. In the kitchen, it enhances savoury dishes, desserts, drinks and sauces. It is used to make mint tea, flavour cocktails, season lamb and brighten summer salads. Medicinally, mint has been used for centuries to aid digestion, relieve colds and freshen breath. The fragrance also makes it a natural choice for pot pourri and scented gardens. Growing your own mint ensures a constant supply of fresh, flavourful leaves.
Common mistakes to avoid
Planting mint directly into the garden without containment often leads to frustration, as it spreads aggressively. Neglecting to water during dry spells results in tough, unappetising leaves. Allowing plants to become woody without cutting back reduces productivity. Forgetting to divide container grown mint every few years leads to crowded roots and declining vigour. Avoiding these mistakes ensures healthy, productive mint plants.
Conclusion
So, how do you plant mint? It begins with choosing the right variety, preparing fertile, well-drained soil and planting in a way that controls its vigorous growth. Whether in the ground or in containers, mint thrives with regular watering, feeding and harvesting. By keeping its spread under control and rejuvenating it with occasional cutting back, you can enjoy a constant supply of fresh mint for cooking, drinks and home remedies. With its resilience, fragrance and versatility, mint is one of the most rewarding herbs to grow in the UK garden.
