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You can grow basil and mint successfully in your garden or on a sunny windowsill with the right care and a little patience.
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow basil and mint without killing them, you’re in the right place because these two herbs are some of the easiest to start with.
Learning how to grow basil and mint is rewarding since both herbs add incredible flavor to your cooking and smell amazing.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to grow basil and mint, from planting and watering to harvesting and keeping them thriving.
And whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a total beginner, these tips will help you grow basil and mint like a pro.
Let’s dig in and get your herbs growing strong.
Why Growing Basil and Mint Together Works Well
When you grow basil and mint together, you’re pairing two herbs that love similar conditions but have slightly different personalities.
Basil is an annual that craves warm weather, plenty of sun, and consistently moist soil.
Mint, on the other hand, is a hardy perennial that spreads aggressively but tolerates a bit more shade.
To grow basil and mint together, you’ll need to manage their space carefully since mint will take over if you let it.
Understanding how to grow basil and mint means knowing that they both thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
You can absolutely grow basil and mint in the same container or garden bed as long as you give each plant room to breathe.
Here are the key reasons this pairing works and how to make it happen successfully.
1. Both Herbs Love Sunlight, But Mint Is Flexible
Basil needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to produce those big, fragrant leaves.
Mint can handle full sun but also grows fine in partial shade, which makes it forgiving if your spot isn’t perfect.
When you grow basil and mint in the same sunny spot, try to position the mint where it gets afternoon shade if you live in a hot climate.
This balances the light needs of both herbs and keeps your basil from bolting to seed too quickly.
2. Watering Needs Align with Consistent Moisture
Both basil and mint prefer soil that stays evenly moist but never soggy or waterlogged.
To grow basil and mint properly, water them deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Mint is more drought-tolerant than basil, so keep an eye on your basil because it will wilt faster when thirsty.
Adding a layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool.
3. Mint’s Spreading Habit Needs Containment
One of the biggest challenges when you grow basil and mint together is controlling mint’s runaway growth.
Mint sends out runners underground and can quickly choke out your basil if left unchecked.
The best solution is to plant mint in a pot with drainage holes and then sink that pot into your garden bed.
This way, you can grow basil and mint in the same area without mint invading your basil’s root zone.
How to Plant Basil and Mint from Seeds or Cuttings
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to talk about the actual planting process for growing these herbs.
You can grow basil and mint from seeds, but you can also propagate them from cuttings taken from a friend’s plant.
Starting from cuttings is faster and gives you a head start on the growing season.
Here’s how to plant basil and mint step by step so you get strong, healthy plants.
1. Starting Basil from Seed
Basil seeds are tiny, so sprinkle them on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and press them gently into the soil.
Don’t bury them deep because they need light to germinate.
Keep the soil warm at around 70°F (21°C) and mist it daily to keep it damp.
Within five to ten days, you’ll see little basil seedlings popping up.
Once they have two sets of true leaves, thin them out so each plant has about six inches of space.
2. Propagating Mint from Cuttings
To grow mint from cuttings, snip a four to six-inch stem just below a leaf node.
Strip off the lower leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water for about a week.
You’ll see roots forming at the nodes, and then you can transplant your mint into soil.
This method is almost foolproof and ensures you get exact clones of the parent mint plant.
3. Transplanting Seedlings Outdoors
When the danger of frost has passed, harden off your basil and mint seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Space basil plants about twelve inches apart and mint plants about eighteen inches apart if they’re in the ground.
Water them well after transplanting to reduce transplant shock.
And remember, if you’re planting mint in the ground without a pot, be ready to pull up runners every few weeks.
Caring for Basil and Mint as They Grow
Once your basil and mint are in the soil, the ongoing care is pretty simple and hands-off.
You don’t need fancy fertilizers, but a light feeding every few weeks helps them grow lush and full.
Here are the core care tasks to keep your herbs productive all season long.
1. Pinching Back for Bushier Growth
To grow basil and mint that are bushy rather than tall and leggy, you need to pinch off the top sets of leaves regularly.
Once your basil has six to eight leaves, pinch just above a pair of leaves to encourage side shoots.
Do the same for mint by snipping off the tips of the stems.
This simple trick doubles your harvest and prevents your herbs from flowering too early.
2. Feeding with a Balanced Fertilizer
You can grow basil and mint without any fertilizer if your soil is rich in compost, but a boost doesn’t hurt.
Use a liquid fish emulsion or a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer diluted to half strength every three to four weeks.
Avoid over-fertilizing mint because it can become less aromatic if it grows too fast.
Basil, though, loves a bit of extra nitrogen for those big green leaves.
3. Watching for Pests and Diseases
Common pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies can show up on both basil and mint.
To keep your herbs healthy, spray them with a strong jet of water to dislodge pests or use insecticidal soap.
Mint can develop rust, a fungal disease that shows up as orange spots on the leaves.
If you see rust, remove the affected leaves immediately and improve air circulation around the plant.
Harvesting Basil and Mint at the Right Time
Knowing when to harvest is just as important as knowing how to grow basil and mint from the start.
Both herbs give you the best flavor just before they start to flower.
Regular harvesting actually encourages more leaf production, so don’t be shy.
1. Picking Basil Leaves
You can start picking basil leaves once the plant is about six inches tall.
Always pick the top leaves first, cutting just above a pair of lower leaves.
This keeps the plant growing outward instead of upward.
Avoid stripping more than one-third of the plant at a time to prevent stress.
2. Cutting Mint Stems
For mint, harvest by cutting entire stems near the base of the plant.
This encourages fresh new growth from the roots.
You can harvest mint multiple times a season, and it will bounce back quickly.
Just don’t cut the plant all the way to the ground in the heat of summer.
3. Storing Your Fresh Herbs
Fresh basil doesn’t store well in the fridge because it bruises easily, so keep it in a glass of water on the counter.
Mint is more resilient and can be wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag.
You can also freeze both herbs in ice cube trays with olive oil for later use.
Or dry them by hanging small bunches upside down in a cool, dark room.
So, How to Grow Basil and Mint Successfully?
You can grow basil and mint successfully by giving them plenty of sun, consistent moisture, and regular harvesting.
How to grow basil and mint boils down to understanding that basil is a sun-loving annual while mint is a spreading perennial.
If you plant mint in a contained spot, water both herbs evenly, and pinch them back often, you’ll have a steady supply.
Whether you’re growing them in pots on a balcony or in a dedicated garden bed, these herbs are forgiving for beginners.
Now that you know how to grow basil and mint, it’s time to get your hands in the soil and start planting.
Enjoy the fresh flavors of homegrown basil and mint in your salads, teas, sauces, and garnishes.
Happy growing.