Find out if mint is perennial, whether you grow it in a pot or the ground.
Jason Donnelly
Mint plants are easy to grow, fragrant, and come in several tempting varieties.
But is mint a perennial or do you have to buy new plants after the winter?
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Here’swhat to know about mintsand their care so you might keep them around for many years to come.
Is Mint Perennial or Annual?
These plants are cold-hardy, with most varietiessuitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9or even warmer.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Many will survive Zone 2 winters, especially with snow cover or mulch.
Mints are herbaceous perennials, not evergreens.
In autumn, their foliage dies back.
While they usually stay greenfor the first light frost, eventually, they succumb.
Theyll be back in spring when the soil temperatures warm up.
Because they are mints, the plants might surprise you with just how far away they pop up.
Mint plants are notorious for invading other areas of the garden.
Many are varieties ofMentha spicata, the spearmint.
Most plants sold as peppermint are hybrids between spearmint and watermint and are labeled asMenthaxpiperita.
Theyre all perennial, vigorous, and quite cold-hardy.
Benefits of Growing Mint as a Perennial
Mint is oftengrown as an annual.
Plentiful supply.Mint has earned its reputation as a spreader, but that doesnt have to be bad.
When growing mint as a perennial, use that trait to your advantage.
Mint spreads by rhizomes, and a garden bed with deep edging will prevent most escapees.
Once youve harvested enough mint, or if it gets away from you, the plants will flower.
It holds up in a vase well, likely longer than the flowers next to it.
When grown in the ground, mint expands.
A too-large mint plant can be easily divided by a shovel.
If you want more mint, replant the root section you removed.
Wayward rhizomes that pop up as new plants can be hoed or chopped.
What gets through the grass wont get far against your lawnmower.
Overwintering Mint
Mint plants, whether spearmint or peppermint, are cold-hardy and resilient.
Theyll die back as winter approaches, but a healthy mint plant will reappear in spring.
A few cultivars are less cold-hardy andbenefit from a thick layer of mulchbefore the ground freezes in fall.
Remove the soggy mulch in springtime toavoid problems with root rotor crown rot.
Divide the mint plantsin spring when new shoots pop up.
Regular division keeps the plants vigorous and allows you to plant them in another spot if desired.
Mint grown in a container can overwinter in the house with enough light and care.
Then, provide plenty of light and water only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mint must be properly managed to control its rapid spread.
Otherwise, it will choke out other desirable plants.
Plant it in containers or beds with rigid borders, and check frequently for any escapees.
As a perennial, mint dies back to the ground each winter and reemerges in spring.
