Mint is a versatile and aromatic herb that adds wonderful flavor to foods and beverages. However, its rapid spreading nature can quickly turn mint into a nuisance in garden beds. Within one season, mint can take over an entire area, crowding out other plants. Controlling mint takes some extra care, but a few simple strategies can keep it in check.
Start Mint in Containers
The most effective way to control mint is to grow it in containers right from the start This confines the plant and prevents its aggressive root system from taking over garden space
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Select a pot at least 18-24 inches deep to allow ample room for root growth. Add drainage holes.
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Use a quality potting mix and plant mint seeds or starters Water when soil is dry
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Sink the pot into the garden bed, leaving 1 inch above ground. Or place on a patio or balcony.
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For above-ground pots, choose heavy materials like ceramic or concrete that mint can’t push over
Containers limit the spread of mint roots while still allowing easy harvesting. Just keep an eye on underground runners sneaking through drainage holes.
Create Physical Barriers
If mint is already growing in garden beds, barriers can help control outbound spread.
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Sink landscape edging at least 12 inches deep around mint to block underground rhizomes.
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Use rigid materials like metal, thick plastic, concrete blocks, or treated wood.
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Leave a few inches of the barrier exposed above ground to discourage above-ground runners.
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Check often and remove any mint growing beyond the borders.
Physical barriers take diligence since mint roots seek out any weak points. But they create defined boundaries.
Limit Ideal Growing Conditions
Mint thrives with ample moisture and rich soil. Limiting these ideal conditions slows growth so mint can be controlled easier.
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Plant mint in a dry area of the garden that doesn’t get frequent watering.
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Choose a spot with poor, sandy soil versus nutrient-rich loam.
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Allow mint to grow between pavers or stones to restrict soil access.
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Group mint with drought tolerant plants that need less water.
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Avoid over-fertilizing mint beds to curb excessive growth.
While mint grows in many conditions, less moisture and nutrients equals slower spread.
Be Ruthless About Pruning
Frequent harvesting of mint stems removes growth and controls spread. But don’t stop there.
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Prune mint at the base every 2-4 weeks during peak growing season.
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Trim off any ground-level runners heading away from the main plant.
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Sterilize pruners before and after each mint pruning with rubbing alcohol.
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Remove any flowering stems to reduce self-seeding.
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Cut back mint by 1/3 its size before winter dormancy.
Aggressive pruning is necessary to keep mint from becoming a monster. Never let it go wild!
Smother with Mulch
Mulching is useful for controlling weeds and retaining soil moisture. But it also suppresses mint growth.
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Apply 2-3 inches of mulch over mint beds and a perimeter border.
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Use organic materials like shredded leaves, pine straw, compost or grass clippings.
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If mint pokes through, simply cover again with more mulch.
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Replace fading mulch layers annually to refresh growth suppression.
Mulch blocks light and smothers low-growing mint foliage and runners. It’s easy to re-apply as needed.
Remove All Traces
For a totally fresh start, complete mint removal is sometimes the best option. This controls mint long-term.
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Dig up all mint plants, roots and runners – leave nothing behind.
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Turn over soil to disrupt any remains.
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Apply herbicide to the mint bed for 2-4 weeks to kill traces.
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Monitor for any new sprouts and remove quickly before rooting.
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Replant the bed with non-mint plants to discourage regrowth.
Eliminating all mint remnants provides a clean slate to control future spread. But be extremely thorough during removal.
A small mint starter can quickly get out of control and become a headache. Follow these key steps to keep mint confined right from the start. And take action at the first sign of spreading roots or runners. With smart control methods, mint can be an enjoyable garden plant rather than a rampant monster.
Tip #2: Create Barriers
Mint also spreads above ground, through roots that grow from its stems. Even though rhizomes are the main way mint spreads, it is also important to think about how it spreads above ground. Putting mint in planters and leaving an inch of the pot above the ground helps the mint grow up instead of out, which stops it from spreading.
Tip # 1: Contain It
Due to mint’s strong root structure, it can quickly dominate a garden. While you may enjoy the fresh mint smell in your herb garden, you’ll quickly see that mint will quickly take over and cover all of your other herbs if you’re not careful. How then does a gardener remedy this problem? The answer is in containing it.
The best way to control mint in your garden is to plant it in containers. Begin by purchasing large containers (at least 18 inches deep) with drainage holes. Fill the container up with soil and plant your mint.
After that, you can put the pots on a hard surface, like a concrete patio or deck, and let the mint grow there. Plant the planters in the ground next to your herb garden as another option. Just make sure to leave at least one inch of the pot above the ground. The mint rhizomes are strong, so there is a chance that some will grow out of the bottom of the container. To keep the containers on a hard surface,
Tips on Controlling Mint Plants From Spreading
FAQ
How do I keep mint from taking over my garden?
How do I get rid of mint in my garden?
Is mint hard to control?
Does mint take over the garden?
How do you control Mint in a garden?
Even with the less aggressive varieties, controlling mint in the garden is important. Other than placing barriers deep in the ground to prevent their runners from spreading, growing mint in containers is probably the best way to keep these plants under control.
How do you take care of a mint plant?
Use a garden trowel or shovel to carefully dig around the base of the plant, ensuring you remove as much of the root system as possible. Be thorough and try not to leave any roots behind, as mint can regrow from even small root fragments.
How does Mint affect a garden?
Overcrowding and competition: Mint plants can crowd out other plants in the garden, leading to reduced growth and productivity of desired plants. Maintenance and control: Mint can require regular maintenance and control efforts to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably.
How do you keep Mint from spreading?
Contain mint by planting it in pots. Create barriers for mint to limit its spread. Plant mint in less than ideal growing conditions to slow its growth. Prune mint regularly—at least once a month. Due to mint’s strong root structure, it can quickly dominate a garden.
How do you kill Mint?
Many people have had luck using boiling water to kill mint. Others swear by using a homemade mixture of salt, dish soap and white vinegar (2 cups salt, 1 teaspoon soap, 1 gallon vinegar). Both methods will require frequent applications onto the mint over some time in order to kill it.
How do you prevent Mint overgrowth?
Regular pruning is a strategy that can act as a barrier to mint overgrowth. Prune plants at least once a month and observe them to see if they are attempting to grow outward. Remove any stems that have strayed away into unwanted territory. When you are pruning plants, make sure to guide them upward instead of out towards your other plants.