edenhana

Mint

Extremely vigorous and invasive by runner, so it's best confined to a pot rather than planted directly in a garden bed.

Sun
shade
Water
high
Spacing
30cm
Harvest
Ready in 70-80 days
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
Continuous cutting once established
Cost to grow
~$5 NZD
Grocery value
~$20 NZD
Companion plants
Cabbage family, Tomatoes
Plants to avoid nearby
Parsley
Common diseases
Rust
Common pests
Aphids

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: March and September-October. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.

Growing stages

  1. Germination & planting

    • Best started from a division or cutting rather than seed, since mint spreads mainly by underground runners
    • Confine roots to a pot from the outset; mint is extremely vigorous and invasive if planted directly in a garden bed

  2. Establishment

    • Needs a shaded spot and consistently moist soil to settle in well
    • Aphids can target new shoots as the plant establishes

  3. Ongoing growth & harvest70-80 days from planting, then continuous

    • Pick sprigs regularly; frequent cutting keeps growth bushy and leafy
    • Watch for rust on older leaves, especially in humid conditions
    • High water needs mean pots dry out and wilt quickly in summer, so check moisture often

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