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 Oxford
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 Oxford · last frost ≈ 24 Apr
| 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 | Yes | 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
10 Mar to 8 MaySow seed thinly on the surface of moist seed compost around 10th March - 8th May and press it in lightly. Do not cover deeply, as mint seed needs light to get going.
02
Pot On Seedlings
31 Mar to 12 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWhen seedlings are large enough to handle from 31st March, prick them out into small individual pots. Keep them just moist and grow them on in a bright place.
03
Plant Out
28 Apr to 10 JulMove plants into their final pots from 28th April, 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
28 Apr to 29 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeksFrom 28th April, 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
28 Apr to 29 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksCheck the pot often from 28th April 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
12 May to 29 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksStart picking from 12th May once plants are well established. Snip shoots regularly from 12th May to 29th 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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Mint guides by town
See how Mint timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.