How to grow mint
Mentha spp. · Lamiaceae · Herb
When to plant mint: the short answer
Start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 1 week before it. Seeds germinate in soil from 60 to 80°F, fastest near 70°F.
Zone 5: plant out Apr 16 – May 3. Zone 7: plant out Mar 22 – Apr 8. Zone 9: plant out Feb 6 – Feb 23. See every zone.
Mint is a cool-season herb in the Lamiaceae family, usually started indoors and set out as transplants. It wants full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in hot regions and consistent moisture — it resents drying out. From sowing to first pick is about 70–90 days. It is one of the toughest crops here, standing through hard frost and often improving for it.
Grower’s note: Spreads by runners and will overrun a bed - grow it in a sunken pot or a contained strip. A tough perennial in most of the country. Cut it back hard and often to keep leaves tender.
Sowing
Sow barely covered — the seed needs light to germinate, into soil between 60–80°F — germination is quickest near 70°F. Germination takes a week or two (10–16 days). For an early crop, start seed indoors about 8 weeks before your last spring frost and grow it under bright light.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 12″ along the row with roughly 18″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 1 per square foot. Allow at least 10″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 8″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
As a cool-season crop, mint does its best growing in the mild weather of spring and fall and tends to bolt or turn bitter in summer heat.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long mint takes to grow
From seed to first harvest takes roughly 17-20 weeks: about 7 weeks as a seedling indoors, then 70-90 days in the garden.
When to plant mint
When to plant mint by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 13 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – May 3 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 8 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 23 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 6 – Feb 23 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 16 – Feb 2 |
Compare with the other herbs: when to plant herbs, by zone.
Companions
Cabbage, Tomato
Parsley, Basil
Common problems
Pests: aphids, spider mite, mint flea beetle.
Diseases & disorders: mint rust, verticillium wilt, powdery mildew.
Same family (Lamiaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant mint?
Start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out about 1 week before it. Seeds germinate in soil from 60 to 80°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long does mint take to grow?
About 70-90 days from transplanting to the first harvest, or roughly 17-20 weeks from sowing the seed indoors. Seeds germinate in 10-16 days.
How much sun does mint need?
It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough.
What soil pH does mint need?
A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant mint?
Space plants about 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, or 1 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ⅛ inch deep.
Can I grow mint in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.