How to grow Mint in Australia
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, in sun or part shade, as long as its roots stay moist. The catch is that it spreads fast by underground stems, so most gardeners keep it in a pot. Spearmint is the all-rounder for the kitchen, and there are many other flavours to try.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Mint in Australia: Growing Mint Plants in Pots
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to October | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to October | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to October | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to October | Hardy perennial; extends Mar to Oct. Dies back in winter but regrows spring. Frost-hardy. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Plant from March to September. Mint is hardy and grows best through the cooler months. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Plant from March to September. Mint is hardy and grows best through the cooler months. |
| Tasmania | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar. Dies back in winter and returns in spring. Fully hardy. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to October | Mint is hardy perennial; spreads vigorously; plant in contained area; thrives in Canberra's cool season. |
| North Queensland | May to November | Dry season main window. Mint spreads year-round but thrives May to Nov. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to November | Dry season main window. Mint spreads year-round but thrives May to Nov. |
Where to plant
Mint grows in full sun or part shade and copes with most soils, but it does best in moist, fertile soil that does not dry out. In hot, dry areas give it afternoon shade.
Its underground stems spread quickly and are hard to remove once they invade a bed, so grow mint in a pot. To grow it in a garden bed, plant it in a bottomless bucket or large pot sunk into the soil, with the rim a few centimetres above the surface so runners cannot creep over the top.
- Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart: mint dies back in winter and regrows in spring. Plant from spring onwards.
- Adelaide and Perth: grows best through the cooler months; in summer keep pots in part shade and water often.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Sydney: grows most of the year. Give it shade from hot afternoon sun in summer.
- North Queensland and Darwin: grows best in the dry season. In the wet, keep pots out of soaking rain and humid, still air.
Choosing a variety
Buy plants in person if you can, so you can smell the leaves. Mint is usually grown from plants or cuttings rather than seed, as named varieties do not come true from seed.
- Spearmint is the classic kitchen mint for sauces, salads and drinks, and the best choice if you only have room for one.
- Peppermint has a stronger, sharper flavour and is popular for tea.
- Flavoured mints such as apple, chocolate, lime and pineapple mint are grown the same way.
- Pennyroyal is a mint that is harmful if eaten. Buy from a reputable supplier so your plant is correctly named for kitchen use.
How to plant
- Fill a pot at least 20 cm wide with good potting mix. A wider pot holds more water and needs dividing less often.
- Plant a young plant, a rooted runner or a division at the same depth it was growing.
- Water well and keep the mix evenly moist while it settles in.
- To grow from seed, scatter it on the surface of moist seed raising mix, press it in without covering, and keep it at about 20°C. It takes about two weeks to come up.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist. Mint wilts quickly in dry soil, and pots can need watering every day in hot weather. Moving pots into shade in summer cuts down watering.
Feed lightly with a balanced or liquid fertiliser once or twice during the growing season, especially for plants in pots.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pick often to keep plants bushy and leafy.
- When mint finishes flowering, cut the whole plant down to about 5 cm. Fresh shoots follow within a few weeks.
- In cold areas, cut away old, dead stems in late winter before new shoots appear.
- Every couple of years, divide plants in pots: cut the root ball into sections, discard the old centre and replant a piece in fresh mix.
- If rust appears, remove affected plants promptly, including their underground stems, and bin them rather than composting.
Harvesting
Pick young shoot tips for the strongest flavour, cutting above a pair of leaves. The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Flavour is best before the plant flowers.
Keep sprigs in a glass of water in the fridge for up to a week. Leaves can also be frozen, for example chopped in ice cube trays, which keeps their flavour better than drying.
Growing in pots
A pot is the best way to grow mint. Use one at least 20 cm wide, with drainage holes, and keep it out of the hottest afternoon sun. Do not stand the pot on bare soil for long, as runners can escape through the drainage holes. Repot or divide every few years.
Using it
Use mint in salads, sauces and dressings, with peas and new potatoes, in yoghurt and desserts, and in drinks and tea. The flowers are edible too, with a milder flavour.
Propagation
Mint is easy to multiply. Divide clumps in spring or autumn, take softwood cuttings in spring, or stand stems in a jar of water until they root and then pot them up. Pieces of underground stem also grow into new plants.
Companion planting
Mint is best kept in its own pot. A potted mint can sit near vegetables, where its summer flowers bring in pollinators, without its runners taking over the bed.
Good companions
- Cabbage A pot of mint beside cabbages is often grown to help mask the crop from pests. Evidence is mixed, so treat this as a bonus, and keep the mint in its pot.
- Tomato A potted mint near the tomato bed adds flowers for pollinators without competing for root space.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to mint.
- Parsley Mint's runners quickly overrun a slower herb like parsley, so grow them in separate pots.
Pests and diseases
Mint is vigorous and generally healthy. Its main problem is its own spreading habit.
Mint is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Rust Pale, distorted shoots in spring, then dusty orange pustules on stems and leaves, later yellow or black. Remove affected plants and runners promptly and bin them.
- Verticillium wilt Lower leaves yellow and shrivel and the plant wilts, often suddenly in hot weather. It lives in the soil, so start a new plant in fresh mix in a clean pot.
Common questions
How do I stop mint from spreading?
Grow it in a pot. In a garden bed, plant it in a bottomless bucket or a large pot sunk into the soil with the rim above the surface, so the underground stems cannot escape.
Why is my mint dying?
Usually it has dried out, as mint wilts fast in dry soil and pots. Other causes are a crowded, pot-bound plant that needs dividing, rust, or simply winter die-back in cold areas, after which it regrows in spring.
What are the orange spots on my mint?
That is most likely mint rust, a fungal disease. Remove affected plants, including their underground stems, and bin them rather than composting. Start again with a healthy piece in fresh mix.
Can I grow mint from cuttings?
Yes, very easily. Put stems in a glass of water and they will root within a week or two, then pot them up. Softwood cuttings and divisions work too.
Does mint grow in shade?
Yes. Mint grows well in part shade, and in hot areas afternoon shade helps it. In deep shade it becomes leggy and less flavoursome.
Should I let my mint flower?
Leaf flavour is best before flowering, but the flowers feed pollinators. After flowering, cut the whole plant back to about 5 cm for a fresh flush of leaves.
Can I grow mint from seed?
Yes, but named varieties often do not come true from seed, so most people buy a plant or take cuttings. Seed is sown on the surface and takes about two weeks to germinate.
Sources we checked: RHS: How to grow mint; RHS: Mint rust; RHS: Verticillium wilt.