HerbsLamiaceae

Mint.

Cool seasonWarm seasonPollinator magnetDeer-resistant

At a glance

The spec sheet.

Direct sow / out: Spring (from divisions)
Germ: 10–21 days
Days to harvest: Perennial once established
Spacing: Container only
Depth: ¼"
Square-foot: CONTAIN — mint invades any bed
Qty target: One pot per variety (peppermint for tea, spearmint for cooking).

Plant

Plant ONLY in pots or bottomless containers sunk in the ground. Mint will take over a whole bed in a single season if you let it.

Care

Cut back hard 2× per year to prevent flower/seed spread. Rejuvenate with fresh potting mix each spring.

Harvest

Snip stems anytime. Best flavor before flowering.

Preserve

Dried for tea. Also frozen in oil cubes, mint sugar, mint jelly.

Companion planting

Good neighbors

Avoid nearby

Never plant mint directly in a garden bed. Not once. Not even the 'well-behaved' varieties.