Mint is a perennial herb that is very easy to grow. It’s a good idea to put it in a pot on its own because it can invade the space of other plants if left unchecked. The flowers attract bees from mid-summer onwards. Prune back after flowering, cut the flowered shoots to around 5cm above the surface. Mint is a vigorous plant that will spread all over the place if planted straight into the ground. This is why it is a good idea to plant it in a large pot filled with multi-purpose compost that can be placed in a prominent place to make picking easy. Mint dies back over winter, but can be picked between late spring and mid-autumn. Pick regularly to keep plants compact and to ensure lots of new shoots. This also means you get to harvest lots of its leaves for your cooking. Light and Water Mint plants prefer partial shade, you can keep them in full sun if you want but you need to water them frequently. It is also one of the few herbs that grow well in shady areas, a truly versatile plant in regards to light requirements, but its ease of care can increase depending on where you place it. One thing Mint needs is constantly moist soil with adequate drainage. Mint plants like water, but they cannot withstand soggy soil and wet feet. Upon touch, if the soil feels dry, add water. It is probably best to water the plants in the morning so that they have plenty of moisture by the time the hotter afternoon sun hits. If you are growing your mint indoors, you will need to provide humidity. You can achieve this by misting the plant between waterings or set the container on a water-filled tray of pebbles.
