How Deep Do Mint Roots Go? (Planting Depth Guide!) (2024)

FAQs

How deep do mint plant roots grow? ›

Mint roots grow 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) deep!

This is why it's important to put the mint cutting into a container. Choose a pot that's around 12 inches (30 cm) tall so the roots have room to grow.

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and covers lightly with soil. Keep the soil moist. Mint seeds will germinate in 7-14 days. Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart when they have three or four true leaves.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Mint has a shallow root system so you won't have to dig down too far, just enough to gently lay the plant and spread its roots.

Mint Plant Care

Like cilantro and basil, mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow; however, its roots, which are called “runners,” are incredibly invasive: they quickly grow, sprouting new leaves and new plants as they go. Mint will overtake a flower bed or garden in no time if you're not careful.

Mint will spread from its underground roots, and can cover great distances and go under obstacles to get to where it wants to go, so keep that in mind when planting. But, this won't happen overnight, although it may sometimes seem like it. Just keep a close eye on it and harvest any new plants that you don't want.

Mint is very vigorous and will spread all over the place if planted in the ground. Instead, plant it in a large pot filled with multi-purpose compost or in a large, bottomless bucket sunk into the soil with the rim above ground level to prevent shoots escaping over the top. Mint likes full sun or partial shade.

This fast-growing herb can grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent addition to indoor and outdoor gardens. Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart. It's best to grow them in pots to keep them from taking over your garden (even if you're planting in the ground).

In about three years, your mint will probably outgrow its container. A sure sign that the plant is root-bound is when the center of the plant dies. Then it's time to pry your mint from the container and cut the root mass into thirds, as I'm doing in the photo above.

Most types of mint take well to container growth, providing lush leaves that you can use in recipes and simply enjoy the scent of. You can even grow mint in a container indoors near a bright window. Or keep a pot on your patio just outside your kitchen for easy access when you're cooking.

Peppermint, spearmint and lemon mint, in particular, are very aggressive plants. Those mint plants may take over your garden so plant them in a place where you can keep them under control.

How tall should a mint plant be? ›

Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall. Mint is a vigorous grower and needs to be contained or it will send out its runners and spread all over your garden.

Pots that measure 8 inches or more in diameter and are 10 to 12 inches deep provide sufficient room for a mint plant. Avoid shallow containers; otherwise, the mint roots may spread out the bottom drainage hole. This can weaken the plant or result in unwanted root spread if the container is sitting near bare soil.

The best place to grow mint is under trees and large shrubs where there's enough sun for them to flourish. They can be grown in the front of flower borders or in herb gardens, but it would be best to grow mint in a bottomless container sunk into the ground. That way it will be easier to control its rampant growth.

Mint can quickly take over and spread to areas where it's not wanted. Mint spreads primarily by rhizomes, which means by the roots. As the roots spread, they sprout a stems and leaves and eventually become their own plants. So to keep the mint plant from spreading all over the garden, the roots need to be contained.

There are so many different kinds of mint: peppermint, apple mint, chocolate mint, spearmint, wild mint, Virginia mountain mint, etc. Mint grows wild in several different parts of the world including most of the United States. It grows very quickly and can overtake a garden in a snap.

Many people have had luck using boiling water to kill mint. Others swear by using a homemade mixture of salt, dish soap and white vinegar (2 cups salt, 1 teaspoon soap, 1 gallon vinegar). Both methods will require frequent applications onto the mint over some time in order to kill it.

Mint. Mint is yet another fragrant herb that has pest-fighting properties. Menthol, the active insect-fighting ingredient in mint and peppermint oil, has biocidal properties that help repel and control mites, mosquitoes and various other pests.

Mint. Mint isn't just great for cooking. Its oils are proven to repel fleas, ticks, ants, mice and moths. Mint is an invasive plant, so you'll want to put it separately from your garden (unless, of course, you want an all-mint garden).

If you want to add it to an existing herb bed then the best way is to sink a deep bucket or tub without holes into the soil and plant into that as otherwise mint will quickly choke out the other plants. Apart from that, mint is not a fussy plant and will even grow under trees or in shade.

Is Mint a Perennial or Annual? Mint is a hardy perennial that is one of the first to arrive each spring. It also grows year-round in warmer climates; no dormancy period is needed. Mint thrives in both cool and warm climates, and it also retains its potency of flavor over the years.

Do mint plants keep spiders away? ›

Mint. The unmistakable scent of mint is a great insect repellent, and can be very effective at preventing spiders from making your premises their home. There are plenty of mint varieties that work well to repel insects, but peppermint is considered the most potent choice.

Growing Mint in Water is the best and easy way to enjoy its unlimited harvest in a small space: like a windowsill, all year round! Growing Mint in Water is an ingenious way to enjoy its refreshing leaves all year round in small spaces!

Mint spreads easily because of its resilient rhizomes. A rhizome is a large stem which grows underneath the ground and which propagates lateral shoots (Ivany, 1997). In other words, mint has a strong root system which spreads underground, facilitating its rapid growth.

Avoid planting lavender, rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme near mint. Some other bad mint companions include basil, chamomile, and parsley, along with most common herbs. Also, because mint can be invasive, you should not plant mint directly in the ground unless it's free to roam.

Most types of mint can withstand freezing temperatures, so they can live all year long. Mints are herbaceous perennials in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Most mints are hardy down to -20 degrees F. 'Perennial' means the plant will live beyond one year.

Plant mint in full sun or part shade. It can adapt to just about any type of soil, but develops the best foliage in moist, well-drained soil that has been enriched with compost. Keep the area around your mint free of weeds.

Mint is its best, most behaved self when kept in a pot. Even if you decide it must go in the ground, my advice is to plant it in a pot, and then plant the pot in the ground – and dig up and transplant to a larger pot in subsequent years as needed. The sole purpose is always to keep control of those rhizomes.

Spearmint, Mojito mint, Peppermint, Chocolate mint and Apple mint are some examples of Mints and they all really love water and do not like to dry up! It's hard to overwater it, but even a water-loving plant can get overwatered. Always feel the soil before watering - it should feel damp but not wet.

Mint prefers damp, partly shaded areas and once established will grow for many years. Mint dies down in Winter and sends up new shoots in Spring. Mint is a rampant grower and will take over a garden bed if not restrained. One way to contain mint is to use an old bottomless bucket pushed into the ground.

Mint plants stay thirsty, so just be sure to give it a drink at least once a day, maybe two if it begins to wilt a bit through the day.

How do you plant mint so it doesn't spread? ›

The best way to control mint is to limit the spread of the plant's roots by planting it first in a pot, then sinking the pot into the ground or into the soil within a larger container. Every few weeks, give the pot a quarter turn to keep the roots from escaping through the drainage holes.

Over time, you may find that your plants can become tall and spindly. If this happens, just cut them back. I use scissors, but if you have a larger plot you can actually mow your mint with a lawn mower. This will cause the plants to produce lots of new tender shoots, where you'll find the best flavor.

Mint can be grown outside in a border or in containers on a patio, and, even if you don't have a garden, you can still grow a good crop in pots on a windowsill. As mint is a herbaceous perennial, if growing outside, then it will die back in winter.

In areas with cold winters, plant in spring; in warmer regions, plant in fall. To reach harvest time sooner, plant starter plants from Bonnie Plants®. Prevent mint from taking over your garden bed by planting it in a container and then planting the container in-ground or in a larger container with other plants.

The United States is a leader in peppermint oil production (70 percent of the world production). Peppermint production in the United States is concentrated in the northwestern states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, which account for 84 percent of U.S. mint production.

Mint prefers rich, moist and slightly acidic soils and grows best in full sun or partial shade. Most soils in Utah are suited to mint provided they are amended with compost. If growing a variegated variety (pineapple mint), full sun may scorch the leaves.

Containers: Use a container that is at least 10 inches in diameter because mint is a fast-growing perennial plant. Further, the container should have drainage holes and a saucer beneath.

Mint likes a soil that is humus-rich, moist and loose. If the soil is too heavy or too sandy, loosen it before planting and enrich it with a nutrient-rich compost such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost.

They should sprout within 10 to 15 days at room temperature or slightly warmer (68 to 75°F). Transplant into the garden or container when they have at least 2 sets of true leaves.

How do you dig up mint roots? ›

Shake the soil off their roots and pick out every bit of mint rhizome before you transplant or give away these plants; otherwise, the mint will travel along with them. Dig the patch of mint when the soil is evenly moist, not muddy-wet or dusty-dry.

The best way to control mint is to limit the spread of the plant's roots by planting it first in a pot, then sinking the pot into the ground or into the soil within a larger container. Every few weeks, give the pot a quarter turn to keep the roots from escaping through the drainage holes.

Many people have had luck using boiling water to kill mint. Others swear by using a homemade mixture of salt, dish soap and white vinegar (2 cups salt, 1 teaspoon soap, 1 gallon vinegar). Both methods will require frequent applications onto the mint over some time in order to kill it.

Even if you plant mint inside containers, tall stems of mint will flop over the sides of the containers, trail along the ground, grow roots, escape and spread. If you want to keep your mint confined, either use supports to keep your mint stems upright or trim them back when they begin to flop.

Why is mint a bad companion plant? If not contained, mint becomes invasive. Left to its own devices, mint grows quickly and can swiftly take over an entire garden bed. Mint's root systems can grow densely, choking out other plants in the process.

Containers: Use a container that is at least 10 inches in diameter because mint is a fast-growing perennial plant. Further, the container should have drainage holes and a saucer beneath.

The roots start to form in 10 to 14 days and can be planted out in 3 to 4 weeks. Once a strong root system has formed, pot up the stems into containers 6 to 8 inches deep and wide, filled with sterile, well-draining potting soil. Firm the soil around the stems and water gently.

Mint isn't just great for cooking. Its oils are proven to repel fleas, ticks, ants, mice and moths. Mint is an invasive plant, so you'll want to put it separately from your garden (unless, of course, you want an all-mint garden).

The pungent nature of mint deters bugs from making your home their home. Pests like ants, mosquitos, and mice will avoid mint plants whenever possible, and it can also help with other menaces like roaches, spiders, and flies.

Peppermint, spearmint and lemon mint, in particular, are very aggressive plants. Those mint plants may take over your garden so plant them in a place where you can keep them under control. Some other unusual mints are not as aggressive.

Does mint grow out of control? ›

You will still need to keep an eye on your mint, as it can grow roots from stems that grow outside the pot, but regular picking of leaves and stems for teas and salads will keep it under control.

Growing mint from cuttings is super easy. In the right environment, it only takes a few days for the cuttings to start to develop roots of their own. Mint will grow roots out of the leaf nodes on the stems, and can be rooted in soil or water.

Mint is a hardy perennial that's not really worth growing from seed, as it's so easy to grow from root cuttings or young plants planted in the spring or autumn. It does best in well-drained, fertile soil in light shade, where the roots will stay moist but never become waterlogged.

Mint is yet another fragrant herb that has pest-fighting properties. Menthol, the active insect-fighting ingredient in mint and peppermint oil, has biocidal properties that help repel and control mites, mosquitoes and various other pests.

Sprinkle the soil with a little time-release fertilizer if you wish. Water in the plants well. Finally, positioning your fingers like mine in the photo at left, pinch off the top two to four leaves on each plant. This will make the mint branch out and become bushy.