What Herbs Grow Well with Mint?

 Planting Mint with Other Herbs: What to Consider for Successful Growing

Planting mint with other herbs can be a great way to diversify your herb garden, but it's important to consider factors such as soil, sunlight, and spacing to ensure successful growth.

(Photo by Eleanor Chen on Unsplash)

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Mint is a delightful herb to have in your garden, and one of the most popular herbs to grow. Its versatility and robust flavor make it a great addition to any garden. In this blog post, we'll discuss what mint is, how it should be grown, where it shouldn't be planted, and what other herbs can be planted with mint. We'll also talk about whether mint will choke out or harm other plants, and which plants pair best with mint. 

Popular Mints

Mint is a family of herbs that comes from the Lamiaceae family. There are many different varieties of mint, including peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, chocolate mint, orange mint, and more. Each variety has its own unique flavor and uses in cooking. 

In terms of gardening, mint is incredibly versatile and can be used as a ground cover, in containers, as a border plant, or as an edging plant. It's also a great choice for herb gardens, where it can be used as a companion plant to other herbs.

How Should it Be Grown?

Mint is a hardy herb and will grow in most soil types, but it prefers well-draining soil and full sun. When planted in full sun, mint will produce more flavorful leaves and will remain more compact. If planting in containers, make sure the container is at least 12 inches deep and has drainage holes. When planting in the ground, make sure to space the plants at least a foot apart, as they can spread quickly.

When it comes to where you should not plant mint, it's important to keep in mind that mint will spread quickly. It's best not to plant it near other herbs, vegetables, or flowers, as it can quickly overwhelm them. It's also important to avoid planting mint near water sources, as it can quickly become invasive.

What are Other Herbs that Can Be Planted with Mint? 

Good companion plants for mint include beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, chili and bell peppers, eggplant, kohlrabi, lettuce, and peas. Other herbs that can be planted with mint include oregano, rosemary, basil, and lavender, but they should be kept in a separate container to control moisture levels. When planting mint with other herbs in the garden, make sure to give the other herbs plenty of room to spread. Herbs that should not be planted near mint include chamomile and parsley.

• Can you plant mint with anything?

You can plant mint with other vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Good companion plants for mint include brassicas, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, squash, oregano, and marigolds. Mints can also attract pollinators and repel pests such as ants, aphids, cabbage moths, mice, and flea beetles. Other vegetables that can be planted with mint include beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, chili, and bell peppers.

• Can you plant mint and basil together?

Mint and basil should not be planted together in the same container or garden bed, as mint is an invasive species and will spread rapidly if the mint roots are allowed to intertwine with other plants. Mint can be planted with basil, oregano, cilantro, and dill, but should be avoided near lavender, rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, chamomile, and parsley. It can also be grown together with radish, cabbage, kale, or dill in pots.

• Can you plant mint and rosemary together?

Mint and rosemary should not be planted together in the same growing container. Mint can be an overpowering herb and take over a lot of space in your garden, competing with rosemary for resources. Mint is only a good companion to a select group of herbs, such as basil, and should be avoided when planting with rosemary.

• Can you plant mint and lavender together?

Mint and lavender should not be planted together as mint requires moist fertile soil, and lavender requires drier neutral to alkaline soil. Mint's water needs are incompatible with those of lavender.

• Can you plant mint and parsley together?

Mint and parsley should not be planted together. Mint is a tricky herb to companion plants with, as it only works well with a select group of herbs such as basil. Parsley can be grown in a pot with other herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, and artemisia.

Will Mint Choke Out Other Plants? 

Mint can be invasive, so it's important to keep an eye on the surrounding plants. If left unchecked, mint can quickly overtake other plants, choking out their growth. To avoid this, make sure to plant mint in containers or in an area that can be easily managed. Additionally, it's important to keep an eye on the other plants, as mint can cause them to become nutrient deficient. Finally, mint can attract certain pests, such as slugs, so it's important to keep an eye out for any potential pests.

In conclusion, mint is a great addition to any garden and can be planted with other herbs to create a flavorful and aromatic herb garden. When planting mint with other herbs, it's important to remember to give the other herbs plenty of room to spread and to keep an eye out for any potential pests. With a little bit of care, a garden full of mint and other herbs can be a great addition to any home.