How to grow mint in a raised bed

Mint is the easiest herb to grow and the easiest to regret planting loose — it runs. Grow it in a pot (even sunk into the bed) and you'll have all the mint you want without it taking over.

Quick facts

• Position: part shade to full sun
• Spacing: one plant per pot
• Tub depth: a pot or contained corner — it spreads by runners
• Time to harvest: 6–8 weeks, then pick for months

When should I plant mint?

Mint is a perennial — plant in spring and it'll come back year after year. It grows almost year-round in warm areas, slowing in winter. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): August to April
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): September to April
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): October to March
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): March to October
• Arid inland: March to October

How do I grow mint in a raised bed?

The golden rule: contain it. Plant mint in a pot, or a pot sunk into the bed, so its runners can't colonise the whole patch. Give it richer, moister soil than most herbs.

How often should I water and feed mint?

Mint likes it moist — keep the mix damp and it'll romp away. Cut it back hard now and then to keep fresh new growth coming.

What pests attack mint?

Keep an eye out for aphids and two-spotted mite. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect mint?

The main ones are rust. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with mint?

Keep mint contained rather than companion-planted — it will smother its neighbours if left loose. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest mint?

Pick sprigs as you need them; regular picking keeps it bushy. Dry or freeze the surplus, and cut it back before it flowers for the best flavour.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.