Mint in Zone 7A — Texas

Mint is a fantastic herb to grow here in Texas. The refreshing flavor is great in everything from iced tea on a hot day to sauces for grilled meats. Plus, it's incredibly easy to grow, giving you a constant supply throughout our long growing season.

Our unpredictable weather can be a challenge, with the brutal Texas heat and occasional drought, but mint is resilient when given the right conditions. With our 245-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy a thriving mint patch.

Starting mint from seed indoors is an option, but honestly, it's usually easier to buy starts or get a division from a friend. However, if you're set on starting from seed, begin in mid January through early February, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant outdoors.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix, and make sure they're in a warm spot with plenty of light – a sunny windowsill or under grow lights works well. Bottom watering is ideal to keep the soil consistently moist without overwatering the delicate seedlings. Given our early spring character here, it's important to keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to adjust your transplanting schedule if we have a late freeze.

Transplant your mint seedlings outdoors in mid March through mid April, after the last expected frost. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Space your mint plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep in mind that mint spreads aggressively, so consider planting it in containers to keep it from taking over your garden. Given our unpredictable weather, keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to cover your transplants if there's a late cold snap.

Mint likes consistently moist soil, which can be a bit of a challenge with the Texas heat. During the hottest part of the summer, you might need to water deeply several times a week, especially if it's planted in full sun.

Use the finger test: stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil, and if it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall. Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases, especially with our variable humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch, like shredded leaves or wood chips, helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful during the brutal Texas heat.

Pruning mint is mostly about controlling its spread. Don't be shy about cutting it back aggressively. You can harvest entire stems regularly, which encourages new growth and keeps the plant from getting leggy.

Throughout the growing season, remove any dead or yellowing leaves. As first frost approaches around mid- November, give the plant a final trim and remove any remaining flower buds to encourage one last flush of growth before winter dormancy.

You can expect your first harvest of mint from mid May through early July, about 60 days after transplanting. The leaves are most flavorful before the plant flowers, so keep an eye out for flower buds and pinch them off to encourage continued leaf production.

Harvest by snipping off stems just above a leaf node. This encourages the plant to branch out and produce more leaves. You can harvest mint continuously throughout the growing season. As first frost approaches (mid- November), harvest any remaining leaves and dry or freeze them for use during the winter months.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing mint in Texas:

Rust

• What it looks like: Rusty orange, yellow, or brown pustules on leaves and stems, mostly on undersides. Leaves yellow and drop prematurely.
• What causes it: Various rust fungi that spread via wind-borne spores. Favored by warm, humid conditions with moisture on leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Improve air circulation. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Don't work among wet plants. Rotate crops.

Spider Mites

• What it looks like: Fine stippling on leaves (tiny white dots). Fine webbing on leaf undersides and between stems. Leaves turn bronze or yellow.
• What causes it: Tiny arachnids that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Populations explode in drought stress.
• How to fix/prevent it: Strong water spray (daily for a week) is the best treatment. Increase humidity around plants. Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Release predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis). Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that kill predators.

Invasive Spreading

• What it looks like: Mint popping up everywhere in your garden where you didn't plant it.
• What causes it: Mint's aggressive growth habit, spreading via underground runners.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant in containers to contain its spread. If planted in the ground, consider burying a barrier around the planting area. Regularly pull up any unwanted shoots.

Powdery Mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems, and sometimes fruit. Leaves curl, yellow, and die. Reduces plant vigor.
• What causes it: Various fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces actually favor it (unlike most fungi).
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Remove affected leaves. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays help. Milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) is surprisingly effective. Plant resistant varieties.

Texas Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall can all contribute to these problems. Maintaining consistent moisture without overwatering is key, and good air circulation is essential to prevent fungal diseases. Keep a close eye on your plants, especially during periods of drought stress, and take action quickly to address any problems that arise. Also, keep an eye out for fire ants when you're working in the garden!

Mint is a great companion plant for tomatoes and peppers because its strong scent can help repel pests. Cabbage and broccoli also benefit from mint's pest-repelling properties, reducing the likelihood of cabbage moths and other unwanted visitors.

Avoid planting mint near parsley and chamomile. Parsley doesn't like to compete with mint's aggressive growth, and chamomile's delicate flavor can be affected by mint's strong aroma.