Mint
Mentha spicata
Mint is a vigorous perennial herb that thrives in warm, humid subtropical gardens. Regular harvesting and consistent moisture keep plants productive while supplying aromatic leaves for cooking, drinks and herbal teas.
Overview
At a Glance
Peak Planting Window
August to April
Seasonal Role
Perennial leafy herb
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Method
Seed, cutting, division or transplant
First Harvest
6–8 weeks
Sun
Part shade to full sun
Water
High
Heat Tolerance
High
Humidity Tolerance
Very High
Family
Lamiaceae
Category
Herb
Planting Calendar
Monthly Planting Guide
Month-by-month suitability for coastal subtropical Australia.
Rationale
Why This Planting Window
Mint grows vigorously in warm, moist conditions and establishes rapidly through spring and summer. It continues producing through much of the year in subtropical gardens when supplied with regular moisture.
Reference
Growing Information
Lifecycle
Perennial
Ideal Soil Temperature
18–28°C
Germination
10–16 days
Transplant Ready
4–6 weeks
Soil
Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive soil
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Plant Spacing
30–45 cm
Row Spacing
45–60 cm
Frost Tolerance
Low
In the garden
Plant Care
Feeding
Apply mature compost before planting and feed lightly throughout the growing season to maintain vigorous leafy growth.
Watering Guidance
Keep soil consistently moist. Regular harvesting and watering encourage fresh leafy growth.
Avoid Nearby
- None significant
Watch out for
Problems & Prevention
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, whitefly, slugs and snails.
Common Diseases
Mint rust, powdery mildew, leaf spot and root rot.
Common Mistakes
Allowing plants to spread unchecked, growing in dry soil, harvesting too infrequently and failing to divide mature clumps.
Picking
Harvest
First Harvest
6–8 weeks
Harvest Window
Continuous leaf harvest
Harvest Indicators
Harvest stems once plants are actively growing. Cut above leaf nodes to encourage bushier regrowth.
Standard
SGGS Details
Subtropical Gardener Growing Standard — profile metadata.
- SGGS Code
- HER007
- Version
- 1
- Confidence
- High
- Seasonal Role
- Perennial leafy herb
- Crop Champion Month
- October
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