Mint Planting Guide
Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.
Mentha x piperita · Herb · Lamiaceae family · 60–90 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Mint Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Mint?
Mint Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Mint planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | — | May 22 | Jul 24 – Sep 25 |
| Zone 3b | — | — | May 17 | Jul 19 – Sep 20 |
| Zone 4a | — | — | May 13 | Jul 15 – Sep 23 |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 8 | Jul 10 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 2 | Jul 4 – Sep 12 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | Apr 25 | Jun 27 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | Apr 17 | Jun 19 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 10 | Jun 12 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 1 | Jun 3 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Mar 25 | May 27 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 15 | May 17 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 4 | May 6 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 17 | Apr 21 – Jun 30 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 1 | Apr 5 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 10a | — | — | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 10b | — | — | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Mint is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Mint benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Mint
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week
Keep soil consistently moist. Mulch heavily to retain moisture.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Lamiaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Mint
Mint matures in just 60–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Mint
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Mint
Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.
💧 Watering: Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Mint Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Level Up Your Garden
Mint by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Mint?
Mint (Mentha x piperita) takes 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Mint grow in?
Mint can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Mint need?
Growing Mint requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), High — keep soil consistently moist, and soil pH of 6 to 7.