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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesPinch mint’s growing tips regularly to encourage branching, and use clean, sharp scissors or pruners for larger cuts. Remove flower spikes when your priority is leaf production. Pruning keeps the top growth tidy and harvestable, but it will not stop mint from spreading through underground rhizomes.
Where to cut mint for bushier growth
During active growth, pinch or snip the stem tips just above a pair of leaves. The plant can branch from the nodes below the cut, creating a fuller shape. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says that pinching shoot tips and harvesting regularly encourages branching and fresh, tender growth; Penn State Extension also recommends pinching mint as it grows.
For light pruning, pinching by hand is enough. For thicker stems or a larger harvest, use clean, sharp garden scissors or pruning shears rather than tearing stems. Utah State University Extension notes that it is difficult to over-prune mint, but leave foliage on the plant when making a substantial cut so it has growth to recover from.
How to prune mint for routine harvesting
Harvest leaves or shoot tips as needed during the growing season. Taking the tips encourages branching while providing usable foliage. For a larger harvest, Iowa State recommends cutting stems several inches above the soil surface rather than removing the whole plant at ground level.
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- FRAGRANT & FLAVORFUL: Deep green aromatic leaves offer refreshing flavor perfect for beverages, desserts, sauces, and fresh summer recipes.
- GROWTH: Fast-growing perennial that spreads into a lush mound, making it ideal for containers, raised beds, and dedicated herb gardens.
- CARE: Grows best in full sun to partial shade with consistently moist soil. Trim regularly to encourage fresh new growth.
- HARVEST & USES: Enjoy fresh leaves for tea, mojitos, lemonade, fruit dishes, salads, and homemade culinary creations.
- LIVE PLANTS: Our plants are grown exclusively for Deep Roots and The Three Company, shipped fresh directly from our greenhouse to you!
If you are gathering stems to dry, Iowa State advises harvesting just before or as flower buds begin developing, when essential oil concentrations are highest. That timing is specific to drying and does not mean every gardener should cut mint at the same stage.
Should you remove mint flowers?
Remove flower spikes as they develop if your main aim is continued leaf production. Utah State University Extension and Illinois Extension both advise removing flowers to maintain leaf flavor. Flowering-stage advice varies with the harvest goal, however: Iowa State’s recommendation for drying focuses on the period just before or as buds form, while University of Nevada, Reno Extension says mint flavor peaks in full flower. Decide whether you are prioritizing ongoing leaf growth, material for drying, or flavor at a particular stage rather than treating one timing rule as universal.
Rank #2
- Easy to grow
- Aromatic leaves
- Garden use: Herb garden & containers
- Culinary use: Teas & other beverages, salads, garnish, jelly, desserts
- Plant in full sun to partial shade for the best yields
How far to cut mint back
A routine tip-prune is different from a post-flowering reset. For an established plant that has finished flowering or become untidy, the Royal Horticultural Society recommends cutting it back to about 5 cm (2 in) from the base. Utah State University Extension gives a more severe option: cut mint to within 1 inch of the soil two to three times a year. These are source-specific recommendations, not a single required height for every plant; take the plant’s condition and local growing conditions into account.
Remove dead or dying foliage when you see it. Penn State Extension notes that dead foliage can attract pests and promote mold. For seasonal cleanup, Utah State recommends cutting plants to the ground before winter, while the RHS says old, faded stems may be cut from late autumn until spring, just before new shoots emerge. Follow local extension guidance where winter conditions differ.
Rank #3
- Beautiful - Large packet of Mint Seeds (Mentha spicata); Popular and easy-to-grow perennial with intense, cool-tasting leaves used in drinks, salads, and desserts. Spreads vigorously; easier to control when grown in a container. Minimum of 100mg (about 1250 seeds).
- Productive - Mint germinates in 5-10 days when soil temps are 70-80°F. Plant 1/4” deep and space 9-12” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 24” tall with a spread of 18-20”. This variety will mature in 60-90 days, plant in USDA Zones 3-8.
- Grow Your Own Tea - Mint leaves are easy to grow and add variety to your kitchen. Fresh or dried leaves create lovely herbal tea both hot and iced. Try some in your lemonade for a cooling, refreshing taste.
- Easy to grow - Instructions included on each packet. Can easily be grown indoors in your kitchen or outdoors in the garden. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Does pruning stop mint from spreading?
No. Mint spreads by underground rhizomes, so trimming stems controls top growth but does not reliably contain the plant below ground. Illinois Extension recommends growing mint in containers or otherwise checking its root system; Utah State Extension also discusses buried containers as a way to limit rhizome spread. Treat pruning as a way to manage foliage and harvest, not as a substitute for root containment.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bright green leaves with minty scent and taste
- Harvest often for a bushier plant
- Use in tea and other beverages
- Good choice for containers, as plant spreads easily and can take over the garden
- Tolerates light frost
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