Does mint require special care compared to other herbs?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Mint requires special attention that differs from well-known herbs like basil and thyme. Basil readily adapts to consistent warmth and thyme can withstand drought conditions, but mint's tenacious roots and moisture needs require significant forethought and planning. I had a failed herb garden on my first attempt until I created walled beds for the mint.
Water Requirements
- Mint: Water every 2-3 days (1" depth)
- Basil: Water weekly unless temperatures exceed 85°F
- Thyme: Water every 10-14 days
Soil Preferences
- Mint: pH 6.0-7.0 with compost
- Basil: pH 5.5-6.5 with sand drainage
- Thyme: pH 7.0-8.0 with limestone
Use mint roots with 18" deep barriers if planting into the ground. I use recycled concrete pieces, buried vertically around the beds. If planting in containers, choose at least 14" wide pots. My galvanized steel planters did a good job of containing peppermint roots for three years before I had to divide the roots again.
Fertilization
- Monthly fish emulsion (5-1-1 NPK)
- Avoid phosphorus-heavy mixes
- Test soil every 60 days
Pruning
- Cut stems 1/4" above nodes
- Remove flowers to boost leaf growth
- Thin plants every 45 days
There is a difference when it comes to harvesting mint in comparison to other herbs. While basil requires you to pick its leaves with care, mint prefers being chomped down. You can cut mint back by a little more than 2/3 of the stems, weekly. My mojito mint will produce 200% more leaves when I maintain this practice, compared with a gentler basil harvest.
Read the full article: How to Grow Mint: Expert Tips for Thriving Plants
