Mint is one of the most beginner-friendly herbs you can grow, and my garden is proof. One of my two raised beds is about 25% mint at this point, and it has been one of the most low-maintenance plants in my entire setup. If you’re new to growing herbs, mint is a strong place to start.
What I’m Growing
I’m growing spearmint, which is one of the most common and versatile mint varieties. Spearmint has a slightly sweeter, milder flavor than peppermint, which makes it a natural fit for cooking and drinks. I use mine frequently in the kitchen.
Tips for Growing Mint
Mint grows quickly and prolifically. Under the right conditions, it spreads through underground runners called rhizomes, which is how it fills space so fast. Here are a few things that help:
Give it a dedicated spot. Mint spreads aggressively, so planting it where it has room to grow — or where it’s contained — keeps it manageable.
Water consistently but mint is forgiving. It held up through dry spells in my garden when other plants didn’t. That resilience is one of the things that makes it reliable for beginners.
Harvest regularly. Cutting mint back encourages bushier, fuller growth. The more you harvest, the more it produces.
Full sun to partial shade works. Mint is adaptable and handles a range of light conditions, though it grows most vigorously in a sunny spot.
Keeping Mint Contained
If you’re working with a raised bed, mint can take over more space than you planned for. A dedicated smaller container or planter is the better approach. Growing mint in a pot keeps the root system from spreading, giving you the plant without the sprawl. Planting mint directly in the ground is something I’d caution against — it spreads through underground runners and can grow wild quickly, making it hard to manage over time.
Tips for Growing Mint
• Plant in spring after the last frost. Mint establishes quickly once temperatures are consistently warm and is a fast grower from the start.
• Pinch off flower buds. Once mint starts to flower, the leaves lose some of their flavor. Pinching buds off keeps the plant in its vegetative stage longer.
• Trim from the top down. Cutting stems from the top rather than pulling leaves keeps the plant growing evenly and encourages new growth from the base.
• Repot when roots get crowded. Mint in a container will eventually outgrow its pot. When roots start circling the bottom, move it up to a larger container to keep it productive.
• Spearmint and peppermint grow differently. Spearmint is generally more vigorous and spreads faster. If you’re growing both, keep them in separate containers — they can cross-pollinate and affect flavor over time.
Lessons Learned
Mint grows faster than you expect. What starts as a small plant fills in quickly, so give it space or a container from the start.
It’s hardy. During dry spells when I lost other plants, my mint kept going. It’s one of the most resilient things I’ve grown and a strong choice if you’re building out an herb garden for the first time.
