Spearmint
A classic, sweet mint for tea, sauces, and salads. It is a strong grower and a good choice for pots.
When to plant Mint in Cambridge
Mentha spp.
Mint is a hardy, vigorous herb that grows well in the ground or in pots across the UK. It spreads quickly, so containers or a contained bed are usually the easiest way to keep it under control.
60 cm · Partial Shade · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow mint in a pot to stop it spreading and to keep the flavour fresh. It suits a bright windowsill, patio, or sheltered spot outdoors.
01
Sow Seeds
23 Mar to 21 MaySow seed thinly on the surface of moist seed compost around 23rd March - 21st May and press it in lightly. Do not cover deeply, as mint seed needs light to get going.
02
Pot On Seedlings
13 Apr to 25 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWhen seedlings are large enough to handle from 13th April, prick them out into small individual pots. Keep them just moist and grow them on in a bright place.
03
Plant Out
11 May to 23 JulMove plants into their final pots from 11th May, using free-draining compost and a container with good drainage holes. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep the compost lightly moist while roots settle.
04
Pinch Out Tips
11 May to 19 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeksFrom 11th May, pinch out the growing tips regularly to keep plants bushy and delay flowering. If stems get leggy, trim them back lightly and the plant will usually reshoot.
05
Water and Feed
11 May to 19 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksCheck the pot often from 11th May and water whenever the compost starts to dry at the top. A light liquid feed every 14 days helps pots keep producing fresh growth.
06
Harvest Leaves
25 May to 19 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksStart picking from 25th May once plants are well established. Snip shoots regularly from 25th May to 19th October, taking a little and often so the plant stays leafy and does not flower too early.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Mint to consider
Peppermint
A sharper mint with a strong menthol flavour. It grows well in a container and is best picked young for the cleanest taste.
Chocolate Mint
A milder mint with a hint of cocoa in the scent. It spreads just as freely as other mints, so keep it contained.
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Calabrese
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Mint guides by town
See how Mint timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.