Under the right conditions, mint grows like crazy! It doesn’t take long at all to go from a tiny seed to a lush, bushy plant, which makes it a perfect project even if you’re a bit impatient. Every viable seed has the potential to become a full-blown plant—you just have to give it the right head start.
Buying or Collecting Seeds
Keep in mind that only original mint species produce reliable, viable seeds. Hybrids and special cultivars usually don’t, though you’ll occasionally hear a lucky gardener swear they made it work. You can grab seeds at your local garden center or collect them from a plant you already have. Here’s how to harvest and store them like a pro:
- Wait for the flowered stems to wither on the plant.
- Cut the entire stem off.
- Let it sit out to dry for about three days.
- Hold the dry stem over a piece of newspaper.
- Rub it between your palms to release the seeds.
- Sift out the tiny seeds from the chaff.
- Let the seeds air dry completely for a few more days.
- Store them in a cool, dry, and dark spot until you’re ready to plant.
How to Sow Your Mint Seeds
Spring is the time to get moving! If you’re planting directly outdoors, you’ll have to wait until mid-May when the threat of frost has totally passed. However, that doesn’t give them much time to get big and strong. My advice? Start them indoors in March to give them a head start.
- Mix standard potting soil with a bit of sand. If you want to be extra safe, you can sterilize the mix in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 30 minutes.
- Since mint seeds are tiny, mix them with a little bird seed sand to help you spread them more evenly.
- Fill your seed tray with the soil mix and moisten it well.
- Scatter the seeds on top and press them down very lightly—don’t bury them!
- Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse and keep it in a warm spot (at least 68°F/20°C).
- Make sure to vent the cover regularly and keep the soil consistently moist.
- Once your seedlings hit about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, it’s time to prick them out and move them to individual pots.
Transplanting Your Young Mint
By mid-May, your young mint plants are ready to move to a partially shaded spot in your garden beds. If you’re planning on growing them on a balcony, move them into a large pot around the same time. Just make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes and a good layer of gravel or stones at the bottom to keep the roots happy!
