Add mint to your cocktail garden!
Grow this essential herb and join in on the fun of planting a cocktail garden. Whether you’re muddling it into a mojito or using it to infuse a simple syrup, mint’s versatility knows no bounds. As a bonus, it’s easy to care for and those pesky garden party crashers — deer and rabbits — tend to avoid it. Let me show you how to grow and harvest this delicious herb (and keep it from taking over your garden). In addition, you’ll meet a few different flavors to add to your mixology repertoire.
Is mint a perennial?
Yes, mint (Mentha spp. and hybrids) is a perennial herb, meaning it can come back year after year. It's known for spreading easily through its underground roots, so once you plant it, it tends to stick around! Plants are cold hardy USDA zones 3 to 11.
How to grow mint
Plants grow best in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil. If you’re growing multiple varieties, give each their own space in the garden or in a container to prevent mingling and cross-pollination that can blur the unique flavors and aromas. Or plant sterile varieties, such as peppermint and pineapple mint. Keep reading to find a few different varieties and flavor profiles to spruce up any beverage!
Growing tips
Mint doesn’t need much attention. In fact, too much fertilizer can reduce the flavor intensity. The biggest challenge with growing mint is the fact that it spreads so vigorously. Not only do the underground rhizomes move quickly, but stems take root wherever they touch the ground. Unless you have a spot that you want to turn over to mint fully, a container is the best place to grow it. One plant of each flavor is plenty for most gardeners.
Keep mint plants tidy
When summer’s heat causes mint to flower and look a bit untidy, a quick trim can rejuvenate it. Cut it back by a third (or even all the way to the ground) to encourage new growth and a fresh set of leaves.
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How to keep mint from taking over the garden
To keep mint from taking over your garden, try planting it in a large nursery pot buried in the ground. This helps contain its fast growth and prevents it from spreading everywhere. Choose a pot with drainage holes, bury it in the soil with the rim above ground level, and regularly check for any roots trying to escape. This way, you can enjoy fresh mint without it overtaking your garden beds.
Or cut the bottom out of a nursery pot, sink it in the ground and you can keep this aggressive plant more controlled. Leave an inch or so of the pot edge sticking above the soil like you see in the photo above so the plant can’t send out runners.
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Dividing mint plants
If you want to share mint with a friend, divide it in spring or fall, when the weather is cooler, and the plants are dormant. If you are dividing to control it, you can do this at any time during the growing season. Just be sure to let unwanted divisions dry out in the sun to kill them before tossing them in your compost pile. Otherwise, you’ll unintentionally start another mint patch.
How and when to harvest mint
You can start harvesting mint as soon as it pops up in spring. For those spur-of-the-moment mojitos, feel free to pluck leaves or stems anytime, but for the most flavor, harvest mint in the morning before plants flower and afternoon heat kicks in. Young leaves are your go-to for that burst of flavor and are easily snipped from the stem by cutting sprigs right above a leaf node.
Harvest no more than two-thirds of the plant to keep it thriving. Use fresh leaves or sprigs immediately or wrap them in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. This method will keep sprigs good for up to two weeks.
Different types of mint to grow
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a mixology enthusiast looking to add a homegrown touch to your beverages, mint is the perfect herb to start with. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the variety of its rich flavors and elevate your cocktails and mocktails while also mastering how to grow and control it in the garden. Cheers!
Peppermint (Menta x piperita)
Pungent — almost spicy — flavor with a cooling aftertaste. Stems have a red-purple hue and dark green leaves. Flavors include ‘Chocolate’, ‘Grapefruit’ and ‘Lemon’.
Spearmint (Menta spicata)
Sweet, subtle flavor and fragrance, leaves are slightly fuzzy. Try 'Strawberry' or 'Moroccan', which has hints of lemon.
Cuban mint (Menta x villosa)
Mild flavor with hints of citrus. Leaves are hairy and extremely aromatic.
Pineapple mint (Menta suaveolens ‘Variegata’)
Slightly sweet taste reminiscent of apples. Plants have variegated foliage and round, soft, hairy leaves.
