When to plant mint by city
Plant mint out up to 2 weeks before your last frost. Here is what that means for 2027 in cities across the US, using each city’s average frost dates (NOAA 1991–2020). Pick the city with the climate most like yours, or enter your ZIP code above.
| City | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (9a) | Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Portland, OR (8b) | Feb 25 | Feb 11–25 |
| Sacramento, CA (9b) | Jan 12 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Phoenix, AZ (10a) | Jan 5 | Dec 22 – Jan 5 |
| Salt Lake City, UT (7b) | Mar 31 | Mar 17–31 |
| Denver, CO (6a) | Apr 30 | Apr 16–30 |
| Dallas, TX (8b) | Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Minneapolis, MN (5a) | Apr 23 | Apr 9–23 |
| Kansas City, MO (6b) | Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Chicago, IL (6b) | Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Columbus, OH (6b) | Apr 20 | Apr 6–20 |
| Nashville, TN (7b) | Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Atlanta, GA (8a) | Mar 24 | Mar 10–24 |
| Raleigh, NC (8a) | Mar 28 | Mar 14–28 |
| Philadelphia, PA (7b) | Mar 30 | Mar 16–30 |
| Boston, MA (7a) | Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
In frost-free parts of Florida, southern California and the Gulf Coast, timing is about heat instead: grow mint from fall through winter.
Mint spacing
In a square-foot bed, plant 1 per square foot. In traditional rows, space plants about 18 inches apart with 24 inches between rows.
Spreads by runners. Grow it in a pot sunk in the bed.
How to grow mint
Mint is a vigorous perennial that is almost impossible to kill and very hard to contain. It spreads by underground runners and will take over a bed if planted directly in it, so grow it in a container or a pot sunk into the soil.
Sun and soil
Full sun to part shade, in rich, moist soil with a pH of about 6.0–7.0. Mint tolerates wetter spots than most herbs; water about 1–2 inches a week.
Planting
- Start from a nursery plant, a division or a rooted cutting. Mint grown from seed rarely matches its parent.
- Plant from 2 weeks before the last frost to the frost date, when soil is at least 50°F.
- To contain it, sink a pot or bottomless container at least 10–15 inches deep with the rim 3–4 inches above the soil.
- Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Care
- Feed once in early spring; excess fertilizer and water encourage rust and weaken flavor.
- Cut plants back 2–3 times a season, before they bloom, to keep growth fresh and bushy.
- Check the container rim regularly and pull any runners that escape.
- Divide clumps every few years when the center becomes woody and sparse.
Harvest
Begin cutting once plants are a few inches tall. Harvest stems in late morning after dew dries; flavor is strongest just before flowering. Cut stems back to an inch or so above the soil and plants regrow quickly.
Common problems
- Mint rust: Orange to brown pustules on leaf undersides. Remove infected stems, water in the morning at the soil, and cut plants to the ground in fall.
- Runaway spreading: Runners jump out of beds and over container rims. Keep it potted and pull escapees promptly.
- Aphids and spider mites: Curled or stippled leaves. Spray off with water or use insecticidal soap.
Varieties to try
- Spearmint (Mentha spicata) — the classic culinary mint
- Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) — strong, cool flavor for tea
- 'Kentucky Colonel' — large-leaved spearmint, traditional for juleps
Crop rotation
Mint belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Mostly herbs and perennials; rotation matters little. Relatives that count as the same family for rotation: basil, oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant mint?
What should not be planted with mint?
How far apart should I plant mint?
How long do mint take to grow?
Can mint handle frost?
Sources
- Frost dates: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
- Hardiness zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA-ARS and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
- Planting windows and spacing: Vegetable Planting Guide (GardenNotes #720), Colorado State University Extension, and other land-grant extension guides.
- Gardening with Companion Plants (EM128E), Linda Chalker-Scott, Washington State University Extension, 2023
- Mint in the Garden — Utah State University Extension
- Herbs — Clemson Cooperative Extension (HGIC)