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Planting basil and mint is incredibly easy, and both herbs thrive with just a bit of basic care.
When you plant basil and mint together, you’re setting up a fragrant and useful corner of your garden that rewards you all season long.
The key to successfully planting basil and mint lies in understanding their individual needs, especially since mint can be a bit of a garden bully.
In this post, we’ll walk through the best methods for planting basil and mint, from seeds to seedlings, and cover the soil, water, and sunlight they crave.
Let’s dig into how to plant basil and mint so you can enjoy fresh leaves for pesto, teas, and so much more.
Why Plant Basil And Mint Together?
Planting basil and mint together can work well in a container, provided you respect their different growth habits.
Both basil and mint are sun-lovers that appreciate consistent moisture, but that’s where most of their similarities end.
Basil is an annual that stays tidy and bushy, while mint is a perennial that spreads aggressively through underground runners.
When you plant basil and mint in the same pot, the mint can quickly overtake the basil, so generous space or separate pots are your best friends.
Still, having these two herbs side-by-side means you can snip fresh basil for pasta and mint for mojitos from one convenient spot.
1. Timing Matters For Planting Basil And Mint
The best time to plant basil and mint outdoors is after the last spring frost has passed.
Basil is extremely sensitive to cold, so even a light frost can kill it overnight.
Mint is hardier and can handle a bit more chill, but it also prefers warm soil to establish roots quickly.
If you’re starting seeds indoors, plant them about six to eight weeks before your expected last frost date.
This head start ensures your basil and mint seedlings are sturdy and ready to go when the weather warms.
2. Choose The Right Spot For Sun
When you plant basil and mint, pick a location that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Basil absolutely thrives in full sun, and that sunshine builds those essential oils that give it that classic flavor.
Mint can tolerate a little more shade, especially in hotter climates, but it still grows best with plenty of light.
If you’re planting basil and mint in pots, you can move them around to chase the sun if needed.
Just remember, more sun equals more flavorful leaves for both of these aromatic herbs.
3. Soil Preparation For Planting Basil And Mint
The soil you use when you plant basil and mint should be rich, loamy, and well-draining.
Both basil and mint thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mix in plenty of compost or aged manure before planting to give them a slow-release boost of nutrients.
Mint is forgiving about soil quality, but basil will thank you for extra organic matter.
If you’re planting basil and mint in containers, use a high-quality potting mix that won’t compact easily.
Step-By-Step: How To Plant Basil And Mint
Now let’s get into the practical steps for planting basil and mint from seeds or starter plants.
This guide works whether you’re putting them in the ground or in pots on a sunny balcony.
1. Start Basil Seeds Shallow
Basil seeds need light to germinate, so don’t bury them too deep when you plant basil and mint from seed.
Press the tiny basil seeds onto the surface of the soil and barely cover them with a thin dusting of earth.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and basil sprouts should appear in five to ten days.
Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them so the strongest plants have room to grow.
When you plant basil and mint, spacing of about eight to twelve inches apart for basil is perfect.
2. Plant Mint Runners Or Cuttings
Mint is easiest to start from a cutting or a small nursery plant rather than seeds.
When you plant basil and mint, take a mint runner or stem cutting and place it in water for a week to root.
Once you see healthy roots, plant your basil and mint in the prepared soil, burying the roots completely.
Mint needs more space than you might think because it spreads, so give it at least a foot or more, or use a pot.
If planting mint directly in the ground, consider sinking a deep container to keep those runners from invading.
3. Watering Basil And Mint Correctly
Proper watering is crucial when you plant basil and mint, as they both hate dry feet.
Keep the soil evenly moist, watering deeply whenever the top inch feels dry to the touch.
Basil is especially thirsty; it will wilt dramatically if you let it dry out even once.
Mint is a bit more drought-tolerant, but it still prefers a drink on a regular basis.
When planting basil and mint in containers, be ready to water more often since pots dry out faster.
4. Fertilize Lightly
You don’t need heavy feeding when you plant basil and mint in rich soil.
A light application of a balanced liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks is plenty during the growing season.
Too much nitrogen will give you lush leaves but weaker flavor, so go easy on the food.
If you planted basil and mint with compost, they might not need any extra fertilizer at all.
Just watch for yellowing leaves, which can signal a need for a little nutrient boost.
5. Pinch And Harvest Frequently
The secret to a bushy basil plant is regular pinching, and the same applies when you plant basil and mint.
Start pinching off the top sets of leaves once basil has about six true leaves, and this encourages lateral growth.
For mint, you can harvest stems regularly, always cutting just above a set of leaves.
The more you harvest when you plant basil and mint, the more new growth you’ll get.
Don’t let basil flower; if you see flower buds starting, pinch them off immediately to keep leaves tasty.
Container Tips For Planting Basil And Mint
If you’re short on garden space, planting basil and mint in containers is a brilliant solution.
Choose a pot that’s at least twelve inches wide and deep for each herb, or use one huge planter with a divider.
Since mint runs wild, giving it its own pot is the safest way to prevent it from choking your basil.
Make sure your containers have drainage holes, as neither basil nor mint likes standing in soggy water.
Place pots near your kitchen door so snipping fresh herbs for dinner is always quick and easy.
1. Use Quality Potting Mix
When you plant basil and mint in pots, never use garden soil because it compacts too much.
Instead, use a premium potting mix that contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and aeration.
This type of mix holds moisture just right while allowing excess water to flow out freely.
Your basil and mint will establish faster, and the roots will thank you for the loose environment.
2. Water More Frequently In Containers
Container-grown herbs dry out faster than ground plantings, so check your basil and mint daily.
Mixing a little water-retaining gel into the potting mix can help, but don’t make it soggy.
On hot summer afternoons, you might need to water your basil and mint twice a day.
A simple finger test works wonders; poke your finger an inch deep, and if it’s dry, water them.
So, How To Plant Basil And Mint The Right Way?
You can plant basil and mint successfully by giving them full sun, rich soil, and steady moisture.
Start basil from seeds or seedlings and plant mint from cuttings or runners, and both will flourish.
Remember to keep mint contained, either in its own pot or with physical barriers, so it doesn’t take over.
When you plant basil and mint with these steps, you’ll have a continuous supply of delicious, aromatic leaves.
So get your hands dirty, plant basil and mint today, and enjoy the freshest homegrown herbs imaginable.