How To Plant Basil And Mint

You can plant basil and mint successfully in most climates by giving them the right soil, sunlight, and water.

Basil and mint are two of the most rewarding herbs you can grow, and planting them is actually a simple process once you know a few key tricks.

If you’re wondering how to plant basil and mint side by side, you’ll be happy to know they share similar basic needs, even though they have a few distinct preferences.

In this post, we’ll walk through the best ways to plant basil and mint, how to care for them, and common mistakes to avoid so you can enjoy a fresh supply all season long.

Let’s dig in.

How to Plant Basil and Mint: The Basics You Need

The real answer to how to plant basil and mint starts with understanding their individual personalities.

While both are forgiving herbs, they do have slightly different rules when it comes to planting them.

Basil is an annual that loves heat, meaning it thrives in warm summer weather and will die when frost hits.

Mint is a hardy perennial that will come back year after year, and it’s notorious for spreading aggressively if you let it.

When you learn how to plant basil and mint together, you’ll want to give them both full sun, which usually means at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

That said, mint can tolerate a bit more afternoon shade in hotter regions, so it’s a little more flexible than basil.

The soil needs to be rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.

Since both herbs like consistent moisture, adding organic compost before planting is one of the best ways to set them up for success.

The Best Time to Plant Basil and Mint

When you’re figuring out how to plant basil and mint, timing matters more than you might think.

Basil is not cold-hardy at all, so you must wait until all danger of frost has passed before putting it in the ground.

Typically, that means planting basil in late spring or early summer, depending on where you live.

Mint, on the other hand, is much tougher and can be planted a few weeks earlier in the spring, even when the nights are still a little cool.

If you want to plant basil and mint from seed, you can start basil seeds indoors about six weeks before your last frost date.

Mint seeds are a bit slower to germinate, but they also benefit from an indoor head start.

However, many gardeners prefer using nursery transplants for both herbs because it saves time and speeds up your harvest.

In fact, planting mint from cuttings is often the easiest method because mint roots so readily in water.

How Deep and How Far Apart to Plant Basil and Mint

The depth and spacing are critical parts of how to plant basil and mint correctly.

For basil transplants, dig a hole that’s roughly the same depth as the root ball, then gently place the plant in and firm the soil around it.

Basil plants should be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart, which gives them plenty of room to grow bushy and full.

If you’re planting mint, you’ll dig a similar hole, but the spacing rules are different.

Mint grows vigorously by sending out runners, so you should space mint plants about 18 to 24 inches apart.

Even with that generous spacing, mint will still fill in quickly and can take over a garden bed if you’re not careful.

That’s why many gardeners choose to plant mint in containers or buried pots, so they can contain the spread.

For seeds, simply press basil seeds lightly into the soil surface since they need some light to germinate.

Mint seeds are tiny, so you’ll just scatter them on top of the soil and barely cover them.

Planting Basil and Mint in Containers

If you’re short on space or want to keep mint under control, learning how to plant basil and mint in pots is a game changer.

Container gardening is perfect for both herbs because it lets you control the soil quality and the moisture levels.

When you plant basil and mint in pots, choose a container that’s at least 12 inches deep with good drainage holes.

Basil does well alone in a pot, but you can also plant basil and mint together in a large planter as long as you keep them trimmed.

Keep in mind that mint’s aggressive roots can eventually compete with basil for nutrients, so a very wide container is best.

Fill your pot with a high-quality potting mix, and mix in some compost to feed the herbs over time.

When planting basil and mint in containers, water them thoroughly right after planting to settle the soil.

After that, check the top inch of soil daily, and water whenever it feels dry, since pots dry out faster than garden beds.

Watering and Feeding Basil and Mint

The watering routine is a huge part of how to plant basil and mint successfully.

Both herbs like moist soil, but they absolutely hate sitting in soggy, waterlogged conditions.

Basil needs consistent watering, and if you let it dry out too much, the leaves will wilt and the plant may bolt to seed.

Mint is a bit more forgiving and can handle a little dryness, but it also grows best with regular water.

A good rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week, depending on heat and rainfall.

When you plant basil and mint, adding a layer of mulch around the base helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cool.

For feeding, you don’t need heavy fertilizers, as too much can reduce the essential oils that give these herbs their flavor.

A light application of a balanced, organic fertilizer once a month is plenty for both.

If you planted basil and mint in rich compost, you might not need to feed them at all.

Planting Basil and Mint Directly in the Garden

For many gardeners, the classic way to plant basil and mint is straight into the ground.

If you’re going this route, first prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of about 8 to 10 inches.

Mix in a few inches of compost to create the fertile, well-draining environment these herbs love.

Then, plant basil and mint on the same day if you’re sure the frost risk is gone, but place them far apart.

Actually, a smarter move is to plant basil in the garden bed and keep mint separately, perhaps in a sunken pot.

This prevents mint from turning into a weed and taking over your entire bed.

When planting basil and mint, water them in immediately after setting them in the soil.

Then, keep an eye on them for the first few weeks until they establish strong root systems.

Once they’re established, you can start picking leaves regularly, which encourages even more growth.

Sunlight and Temperature Needs

The best way to plant basil and mint also depends on getting the sun exposure right.

Basil is a sun worshipper, so it needs the hottest, brightest spot in your garden.

Mint is more adaptable, so you can plant basil and mint in a spot that gets full morning sun and some afternoon shade.

In very hot climates, a little shade for mint will keep it from scorching and make it taste better.

Temperature-wise, basil loves it when things heat up, and it thrives in the 70°F to 90°F range.

Mint is hardier and prefers slightly cooler conditions, around 60°F to 70°F, but it will still grow in summer heat.

If you live in a region with intense summers, you’ll want to plant basil and mint where the soil stays cool and moist.

Adding mulch is one of the best tricks for keeping roots cool when temperatures soar.

Pro Tips for Planting Basil and Mint Like a Pro

Even though it’s easy to plant basil and mint, a few pro tips can make all the difference in your harvest.

First, always pinch off flower buds as soon as you see them on basil, because flowering stops leaf production.

For mint, you also want to keep it trimmed back to promote fresh, tender leaves.

When you plant basil and mint, consider companion planting them near tomatoes, peppers, or even cabbage.

Basil particularly improves the flavor of tomatoes, and mint can deter pests when planted strategically.

Just remember that mint’s spreading habit means you should plant basil and mint with caution.

Another trick is to soak your basil seeds overnight before planting to speed up germination.

And for mint, don’t stress about growing from seed; a single cutting from a friend’s plant will root in a glass of water in about a week.

This makes mint one of the easiest herbs to multiply once you know how to plant basil and mint.

So, How to Plant Basil and Mint?

You can plant basil and mint successfully by giving them excellent drainage, plenty of sun, and consistent moisture.

Basil and mint are wonderful partners in the kitchen, and with these steps, you’ll be harvesting in no time.

Plant basil after the last frost in a sunny spot, and start your mint around the same time, ensuring you give it plenty of space.

How to plant basil and mint is really about meeting their simple needs, and both herbs are very forgiving for beginners.

So grab your pots, your soil, and your seeds, and go plant basil and mint today.