How to grow mint is one of those things people assume they don’t really need to learn—because, after all, it’s often called the easiest herb you can grow. And to be fair, that’s mostly true. Mint is fast-growing, very forgiving, and almost too eager to thrive. It doesn’t fuss about perfect soil, and even if you forget about it for a few days, it usually bounces right back. So naturally, it gives you that nice feeling of “I’ve got this gardening thing figured out” pretty quickly.
Because of that, it was one of the first herbs I ever planted. At the time, I simply popped it into the ground without much thought, imagining I’d just step outside, snip a few leaves for tea, and be done with it. However, what started as a small, harmless-looking plant didn’t stay that way for long. Within weeks, it had already spread further than I expected, and before I really noticed, it had quietly taken over more space than I ever intended.
This is where mint can catch you off guard. While it is one of the best beginner herbs, it also has a slightly unruly side that isn’t always mentioned upfront. On one hand, if you understand how it grows, it can be incredibly easy to manage. On the other hand, if you don’t, it can quickly go from a blessing to something a bit overwhelming.
So in this guide, I’ll show you not just how to grow mint, but how to grow it well. I’ll also share how to keep it under control, look at different varieties you can try, and explain how to propagate it so you can grow more plants for free. Once you understand it properly, mint becomes one of those herbs you’ll always be glad to have around.
Health Benefits of Mint for Us
Before getting into the different types, it’s worth knowing that mint isn’t just easy to grow—it’s actually doing you a few quiet favors in the background too. In general, mint has been used for ages to support digestion, and honestly, it’s one of the few herbs where you can feel the difference pretty quickly. For example, after a heavy meal, a simple mint tea can take that uncomfortable, bloated feeling down a notch. At the same time, it’s naturally refreshing, which is why it’s often used for freshening breath—but it goes a bit deeper than that, thanks to its mild antibacterial properties.
On top of that, mint contains antioxidants, which help support your body overall, even if you don’t notice it straight away. And while it’s not exactly a miracle cure, it does have a gentle calming effect, especially when taken as a warm tea at the end of the day. I’ve found it’s one of those small, steady habits that just makes you feel a bit more put together—nothing dramatic, just quietly helpful.
That said, not all mint is equally strong, and some varieties are more soothing than others. Still, across the board, mint is one of those herbs that manages to be both practical and enjoyable. You’re not forcing yourself to use it “because it’s healthy”—you actually want to use it, which makes all the difference.
Why Mint Is Great for Your Garden (And Other Plants)
At the same time, mint isn’t just useful in the kitchen—it quietly earns its place in the garden too. Because of its strong scent, it can help confuse or deter certain pests like aphids, ants, and even flea beetles. It’s not a miracle fix (I wish), but I’ve definitely noticed that when I’ve got a few pots of mint nearby, things feel a bit more balanced—like it’s taking the edge off pest pressure without me having to do much at all.
One of the nicest things about mint is how it can support other plants. For example, strawberries are a great match. The scent of mint can help mask them from pests, and since strawberries stay low-growing, they don’t really compete too much above ground. That said—and I learned this the hard way—it’s best to keep mint in a pot beside them rather than planting it in the same bed. Otherwise, it stops being a “companion” and starts becoming a takeover situation.
Mint can also sit quite well near brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and kale, where it may help deter cabbage moths. I’ve even placed pots near tomatoes and peppers before, mainly just to help with general pest distraction. On top of that, once mint flowers, it attracts pollinators, which benefits everything around it rather than just one plant.
However, not every plant enjoys being too close. More delicate herbs like parsley or chamomile can get overshadowed if mint is planted directly in the ground. It’s not that they don’t like it—it’s simply that mint tends to dominate the space.
So overall, mint works best as a nearby helper rather than a close neighbour. Keep it contained, keep it close, and it will quietly do its job without causing chaos.
Where the Differences Come In
The main difference is in the active compounds, which slightly change how each mint behaves.
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
- High in menthol
- Strongest for digestion and bloating
- Often used in medicinal teas and oils
👉 This is the “powerhouse” mint
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
- Lower menthol, higher carvone
- Gentler on the stomach
- Often used in cooking
👉 Better for everyday use, especially for kids or sensitive stomachs
Apple, Chocolate, Pineapple Mint
- Milder overall
- Still contain beneficial compounds, just less concentrated
👉 Think of these more as flavor + light benefit
Moroccan Mint
- Usually a type of spearmint
- Great for tea and relaxation
👉 More soothing than intense
My Honest Take (From Growing & Using It)
I’ve found that:
- Peppermint feels “medicinal”—you notice the effect
- Spearmint feels “everyday”—easy to use in everything
- The fancy varieties? Lovely, but more about enjoyment than health
And honestly, sometimes that matters more. If you like the taste, you’ll actually use it.
One Small Note
Not all mint should be treated the same in large amounts:
- Peppermint can be quite strong (especially as oil)
- Some people find it too intense for daily use
So it’s less about “which is healthiest” and more about:
👉 what works for your body and how you plan to use it
Bottom Line
All mint types offer similar core health benefits, but:
- Peppermint = stronger, more medicinal
- Spearmint = gentler, more versatile
- Other varieties = milder, more for flavor and enjoyment
If you’re growing mint at home, I’d actually recommend having at least two types—one for function (like peppermint) and one for flavor (like spearmint). It just makes life easier… and a bit more fun too
How to Grow Mint (Without Making Life Difficult for Yourself)
When it comes to how to grow mint, it really is one of the easiest herbs to start with—but at the same time, it’s also one that benefits from a little bit of gentle control from the beginning. I didn’t realise that at first, and it’s probably why mine got a bit out of hand.
Sunlight
To start with, mint is quite relaxed about where it grows. It’s happy in full sun or partial shade, although I’ve found it does best with a mix of both. Too much strong sun all day, and it can start to look slightly stressed; too little, and it becomes a bit leggy and loose.
Watering
In terms of watering, mint prefers soil that stays lightly moist but still drains well. So, not completely dry, but not sitting in water either. I used to think more water would mean more growth, but actually, it just made things a bit soggy. Now I keep it steady, and it seems much happier.
Soil
Mint isn’t overly fussy about soil, which is part of its charm. Still, it does best in something soft and well-draining. If the soil is too compact, it can slow things down a bit, so loosening it slightly or adding a bit of compost helps more than you’d think.
Growing in Containers
Where things get more interesting, though, is under the surface. Mint spreads through soft underground runners that move quietly through the soil. At first, you don’t really notice them, and then suddenly, new shoots start appearing further away from where you planted it. It’s quite subtle… until it isn’t.
Because of that, growing mint in a container just makes everything feel more manageable. It keeps those wandering roots gently contained, so you’re not constantly trying to rein it back in. You can still place the pot near other plants if you like, especially if you’re using it as a companion, but without the worry of it spreading too far.
Planting Mint in the Ground (If You Really Want To)
If you do prefer to plant it directly into the ground, it’s definitely possible—but it helps to go in with a bit of a plan. Adding a root barrier or planting it in a sunken pot can slow its spread and keep it more contained. I didn’t do that the first time… and I did end up regretting it slightly.
Pruning & Harvesting
As it grows, regular pruning helps keep it full and soft rather than straggly. I used to hesitate before cutting it, but the more you harvest, the better it seems to respond. It’s one of those plants where using it often actually improves it.
In the end, mint is incredibly easy to grow—it just likes to do things its own way. Once you understand that, it becomes much less about controlling it, and more about gently guiding it.
How to Propagate Mint (Free Plants Forever!)
One of the nicest things about mint—once you get going with it—is how easy it is to multiply. Honestly, it’s one of those plants that almost feels generous. You don’t need anything fancy, and you definitely don’t need to buy more plants once you understand the basics.
Propagation from Cuttings
The simplest way to propagate mint is from cuttings. I usually just snip a healthy stem from an established plant—nothing too woody, just something fresh and green. At first, I wasn’t even sure if I was doing it right, but mint is surprisingly forgiving.
After that, I remove the lower leaves so there’s a clean section of stem to work with. Then I pop it into a glass of water, making sure the leaves aren’t sitting in it. And then… I just leave it alone on a windowsill.
Within a few days to a week, small roots usually start to appear. It always feels a bit like magic, even though it’s completely normal for mint.
Water vs Soil Propagation
Once the roots are a few centimetres long, you can either keep it growing in water for a while longer or plant it straight into soil. I’ve done both, and honestly, both work fine.
Water propagation feels a bit more fun and visual—you can actually see what’s happening. Soil, on the other hand, helps the plant settle in more naturally long-term. So it really depends on your patience level.
Dividing Established Plants
Another easy method is simply dividing an older plant. Mint naturally spreads underground, forming little clusters of roots. So, when it gets a bit crowded, you can gently lift part of it and separate it into new plants.
I didn’t realise this at first, and I probably left mine too long before dividing it. Once I finally did, though, it bounced back quickly—and suddenly I had more mint than I knew what to do with.
Common Mistakes When Propagating
One thing to watch out for is using weak or floppy stems. They don’t always root well. Also, if the water isn’t changed every few days, it can go a bit cloudy and slow things down.
But overall, mint is very forgiving. Even if something doesn’t work the first time, it usually gives you another chance.
Propagation is where mint really shows off. Once you get comfortable with it, you’ll always have more plants than you started with—and honestly, that’s half the fun.
How to Harvest and Use Mint
When it comes to how to harvest mint, it’s one of the most satisfying parts of growing it. Once the plant is established, you can pick it regularly, and interestingly, the more you harvest, the better it grows. I didn’t really believe that at first, so I used to be quite careful with it. But over time, I realised mint actually prefers being cut back.
To harvest, I usually snip the stems just above a pair of leaves. This helps the plant branch out and grow fuller instead of tall and thin. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference. I also try not to take too much from one area at once, just to keep the plant balanced, although mint is fairly forgiving.
Timing-wise, morning is often best if you can manage it. The leaves tend to be fresher and more full of flavour then, especially in warmer weather. That said, I’ve picked it at all sorts of times and it still works fine, so it’s not something to overthink.
For storing mint, fresh is always best. If I’m using it within a few days, I usually pop the stems into a glass of water on the counter like a little bouquet. Alternatively, you can wrap it in a damp paper towel and store it in the fridge.
If you want to keep it longer, drying works well too. I hang small bunches upside down in a warm, airy place, and once dry, I store the leaves in a jar. The flavour softens a bit, but it’s still great for tea and cooking.
In the end,
mint really rewards you for using it—the more you harvest, the more it gives back.
In the end, growing mint is one of those little gardening wins that never really gets old. What starts as a simple herb quickly turns into something you can actually play with—experimenting with different varieties, noticing the subtle differences, and figuring out which ones suit your taste best. Peppermint feels bold and almost medicinal, spearmint is softer and easier to slip into everyday cooking, and then there are the more playful ones like chocolate or pineapple mint that feel a bit like a surprise every time you brush past them.
And that’s really where the fun is. Once you’ve got a few plants going, mint stops being “just an herb” and becomes something you reach for without thinking. A few leaves end up in a cup of tea, a handful gets tossed into water on a warm day, or suddenly you’re adding it to salads, desserts, or even savoury dishes just to see what happens. It’s simple, but in a really satisfying way.
At the same time, it’s also a plant that gently teaches you balance—how to enjoy something without letting it take over completely. Once you learn that rhythm, it becomes incredibly rewarding to grow.
So, whether you’re planting your first pot on a windowsill or trying a few different varieties side by side, mint is always worth the space it takes up. It gives back more than you put in, and then a little more again.
If you ever find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed after a long day, I’ve also shared a simple calming tea recipe you can make with fresh mint here. It’s one of those small things that makes everything feel just a bit slower, in the best way.
