It can be challenging for beginners to grow mint from seeds. This is due to the slow plant growth and uneven germination rates of its tiny seeds. Normally, it will take 10-21 days to grow mint from seeds under ideal conditions.
To succeed, we’ll offer several tips for growing mint from seed. We’ll focus on the best time to start growing mint seeds indoors, the basic requirements for growing mint, and steps to grow mint from seed.
Table of Contents
When to Start Mint Seeds Indoors?
It’s suggested to start mint seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. By doing so, you can give them time for slow germination - typically 7-21 days and sturdy seedling development before transplanting outdoors.
In Los Angeles (USDA Zone 10a), with mild winters and last frosts around mid-February or earlier, aim for late December through early January starts for spring planting, or anytime year-round for continuous indoor growing under lights. Maintain 68-75°F soil temperature with a heat mat, bright indirect light or grow lights, and consistent moisture without waterlogging to boost success rates.
How Long Does Mint Take to Grow?
Under an optimal environment, it will take about 7-21 days to germinate from seed. The soil temperature should be 70°F and it should keep consistently moist. Here are the different stages of mint growth.
How Long Does Mint Take to Grow?
- Germination Stage: Seeds sprout in 7-21 days when surface-sown on moist seed-starting mix, kept at 70°F with high humidity and bright indirect light.
- Seedling Stage: True leaves emerge in 2-4 weeks post-germination; thin to 2 inches apart and transplant to pots at 4-6 weeks when 3-4 inches tall.
- Vegetative Growth: Reaches harvestable size (6-8 inches) in 6-8 weeks from seeding; plants bush out via runners in 8-12 weeks outdoors.
- Maturity and Harvest: First leaf harvest at 70-90 days total; continuous yields through season once established, with full productivity by 3-4 months.
Fundamental Requirements for Growing Mint Plant Indoors
If you want to grow mint indoors, you should mimic its natural preferences for partial shade, consistent moisture, and rich soil.
How Much Light Does Mint Need?
Mint prefers bright indirect light. To thrive indoors, you should give it 12-16 hours of bright indirect light daily. You can place it near an east- or west-facing window, where it receives gentle morning or afternoon sun.
If there isn’t sufficient light in winter or rainy days, supplement with Spider Farmer’s full-spectrum LED grow lights. You can position the light 12-24 inches above for even coverage during shorter days. Too little light causes leggy, sparse growth and reduced flavor, while excessive direct sun leads to leaf burn, so aim for 2,000-4,000 lux or about 200-400 µmol/m²/s PPFD to mimic its partial shade outdoor habitat and promote bushy, aromatic foliage.
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On the other hand, mint plants require consistent moisture to thrive but dislike waterlogged roots. Therefore, you can water it when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Depending on the size of the pot, humidity level, and temperature, you can water it every 2-4 days. Meanwhile, deliver enough to let excess drain freely from the bottom of the pot.
How Much Water Does a Mint Plant Need?
Besides, use room-temperature water to avoid shocking roots, aiming for evenly moist soil like a wrung-out sponge rather than soggy conditions that invite root rot, and reduce frequency in cooler months or low-light winters while increasing during active growth or heat.
Bottom-watering trays work well for even uptake without wetting leaves, which can prevent fungal issues, and always empty saucers to avoid standing water; in Los Angeles' dry climate, misting foliage occasionally boosts humidity around the plant.
What Soil Is Best for Mint?
Furthermore, mint thrives in loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0, such as a high-quality potting mix amended with 20-30% compost, perlite, or peat moss to ensure excellent aeration and prevent waterlogging that leads to root rot.
Avoid heavy garden soil or those prone to compaction; instead, use a formula like 1/3 peat or coir, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 perlite or vermiculite for indoor pots, refreshing annually to maintain fertility and drainage. This setup supports mint's vigorous root system and runner growth while keeping conditions moist yet breathable, ideal for year-round indoor cultivation in Los Angeles' climate.
How to Grow Mint from Seed?
After learning the specific requirements for growing mint indoors, let’s follow the steps to grow mint from seeds.
How to Grow Mint from Seed?
- Choose fresh seeds and gather seed trays, sterile seed-starting mix (pH 6.0-7.0 with perlite), and a spray bottle.
- Moisten, mix, and scatter seeds on the surface without covering (light needed); mist gently and cover with a plastic dome for humidity.
- Place in a 70°F location with 12-16 hours of bright, indirect light or Spider Farmer LEDs 12 inches above.
- Remove the dome at sprouting, thin to 2 inches apart, and water when the top inch of soil dries - every 2-4 days. Fertilize lightly at the true leaf stage.
- Move to 8-12 inch pots with compost-perlite soil at 6-8 weeks; pinch tips for bushiness.
- Pick leaves at 6-8 inches tall (70-90 days total); harvest often for continuous growth.
Conclusion
To enjoy fresh, aromatic leaves year-round, you can grow mint indoors. To succeed, you should meet the requirements like providing consistent moisture, bright indirect light or LED supplementation, well-draining soil, and regular pinching to keep it compact and productive. With consistent caring, indoor mint will become a low-maintenance staple, delivering endless flavor for teas, cocktails, and dishes while avoiding outdoor invasiveness.
