The Ultimate Guide to Growing Mint: Indoors, Outdoors, and in Pots

Introduction

Fresh, fragrant, and famously easy to grow, mint is one of the most versatile herbs in any kitchen or garden. Whether you want to brew a refreshing cup of tea, flavour your dishes, create soothing balms, or simply enjoy its aromatic presence, mint delivers in abundance.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you exactly how to grow mint, whether indoors on a windowsill, outdoors in the garden, or in containers. You’ll learn about the best mint varieties, planting methods, ongoing care, harvesting, and how to prevent this vigorous herb from taking over your plot.

Why Grow Mint?

🌿 Low maintenance – Grows with minimal effort, even for beginners
🌱 Highly productive – Produces plenty of leaves throughout spring and summer
🏡 Perfect for pots, gardens, or indoors
🍵 Delicious and medicinal – Great for teas, cooking, and remedies
🐝 Pollinator-friendly – Mint flowers attract bees and beneficial insects

Best Mint Varieties for UK Gardens

Variety	Flavour Profile	Best For
Spearmint	Mild and sweet	Mojitos, sauces, general culinary use
Peppermint	Strong menthol kick	Teas, desserts, indigestion relief
Apple Mint	Fruity, slightly fuzzy leaves	Summer drinks, jellies
Chocolate Mint	Subtle chocolate undertone	Desserts, hot drinks
Moroccan Mint	Aromatic and traditional	Mint tea, Middle Eastern dishes
Ginger Mint	Spicy twist	Salads, salsas, herbal uses

Tip: Mix and match varieties in containers to create a fragrant herb display.

Where to Grow Mint: Indoors, Outdoors & Containers

Outdoors:

Full sun to partial shade
Well-drained, moist soil
Grows vigorously and can spread rapidly

Indoors:

Bright, sunny windowsill
Pot with drainage
Great for year-round harvest

Containers:

Best option to contain its spread
Ideal for patios, balconies, and windowsills
Prevents roots from invading garden beds

When to Plant Mint in the UK

Method	Timing
From seed	March to May indoors
From cuttings	Spring to early summer
Transplants (shop-bought)	Any time, best in spring or autumn
Indoors	Year-round with good light

Mint is a hardy perennial in the UK and can survive mild winters outdoors.

How to Grow Mint from Seed: Step-by-Step

While mint is usually grown from cuttings or potted plants, you can start from seed.

Step 1: Sow Indoors

Fill seed trays or small pots with seed compost
Sow seeds thinly on the surface and lightly press down
Cover with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite
Water gently and place in a warm, bright spot
Keep at 18–21°C – germination takes 10–15 days

Step 2: Prick Out and Pot On

When seedlings have 2–3 sets of true leaves, transplant into 9cm pots
Harden off and move outdoors when risk of frost has passed

How to Grow Mint from Cuttings (Easiest Method)

Cut a 10–15cm stem just below a node
Remove the lower leaves
Place in water or moist compost
Roots appear in 7–10 days
Pot up once roots are strong
Water well and place in a sunny position

Pro tip: Keep several cuttings going year-round to ensure a constant supply.

How to Plant Mint in the Garden

Mint spreads rapidly via underground runners—so take precautions!

Step-by-Step:

Choose a semi-shaded spot with moist, fertile soil
Dig a hole and plant in a bottomless pot or plastic ring to contain roots
Space plants 30–40cm apart
Water well and mulch with compost

How to Grow Mint in Containers or Pots

Potting Tips:

Use a 20–30cm wide container with drainage holes
Fill with multipurpose compost, ideally enriched with organic matter
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy
Place in partial shade to full sun

Ongoing Care for Mint Plants

Watering:

Keep soil consistently moist, especially in containers
Don’t allow the compost to dry out
Reduce watering in winter

Feeding:

Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser in the growing season
Overfeeding can reduce flavour—go light

Pruning:

Pinch back regularly to encourage bushy growth
Cut back hard in autumn or early spring to encourage fresh growth
Remove flower spikes unless growing for pollinators

Growing Mint Indoors Year-Round

Use a sunny windowsill (south-facing is ideal)
Turn the pot weekly to prevent leaning
Avoid cold draughts or dry radiators
Supplement with LED grow lights in winter
Harvest gently to avoid stressing the plant

Companion Planting with Mint

Mint’s strong scent helps repel common pests.

Best Companion Plants:

Cabbage and brassicas – Repels cabbage moths
Tomatoes – Improves flavour and repels aphids
Carrots – Helps mask scent from root flies
Peas and beans – Attracts beneficial insects nearby

Note: Mint can be invasive—always grow in pots or root-restricted areas near companions.

Harvesting Mint Leaves

When to Harvest:

Begin when plants reach 15–20cm tall
Best flavour is just before flowering

How to Harvest:

Snip stems with clean scissors or pinch leaves off
Harvest from the top to encourage branching
Leave at least one-third of the plant to keep it growing

Regular Harvesting Encourages:

Stronger flavour
Bushier growth
Longer harvest window

Storing and Preserving Mint

Use Fresh:

Rinse and pat dry
Add to drinks, salads, sauces, or garnish desserts

To Store:

Refrigerate in a damp paper towel for up to 5 days
Place stems in a jar of water like cut flowers

To Preserve:

Drying: Tie bunches and hang in a dry room or use a dehydrator
Freezing: Chop and freeze in ice cube trays with water or oil
Mint syrup: Simmer with sugar and water for cocktails and desserts
Herb butter or pesto: Blend with oil and freeze for later use

Common Mint Growing Problems and Solutions

Problem	Symptoms	Solutions
Mint rust	Orange spots on leaves	Remove affected leaves, improve airflow
Aphids	Curling leaves, sticky residue	Spray with neem oil or use companion plants
Powdery mildew	White coating on leaves	Water at the base, thin out plants
Leggy growth	Sparse, tall stems	Prune regularly and provide more light
Invasive spreading	Roots overtaking beds	Grow in containers or restrict with barriers

How to Rejuvenate Old or Woody Mint Plants

Mint becomes woody and less productive after 2–3 years.

Reviving Tips:

In spring, divide the root ball and replant healthy outer sections
Pot up fresh cuttings to start new plants
Discard old woody centres
Refresh compost and location every couple of years

Conclusion

Whether you’re growing it on a sunny windowsill, patio container, or herb bed, mint is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs to grow. With its bold flavour, soothing scent, and fast growth, it deserves a permanent place in your garden or kitchen.

By following this ultimate guide, you’ll be harvesting mint leaves for teas, sauces, cocktails, and more—fresh, organic, and straight from your own mini mint patch.