6 Best Mint Varieties For Container Gardening That Won’t Take Over
Enjoy fresh mint without the invasive spread. Discover 6 compact varieties that thrive in containers, perfect for patios and small gardens.
Anyone who has ever planted a single sprig of mint in their garden knows the story. One year you have a cute little herb, and the next you have a mint lawn that’s staging a coup against your tomatoes. The truth is, mint’s desire to conquer the world is its greatest strength and its most frustrating weakness. But by simply putting it in a pot, you turn that aggressive nature from a liability into an asset, guaranteeing a lush, contained supply all season long.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Pots Are Your Best Friend for Growing Mint
Mint doesn’t just spread by seeds; its primary weapon is an underground network of runners called rhizomes. These roots shoot out horizontally, sending up new plants everywhere they go. Burying a pot in the ground with the rim exposed is a common trick, but I’ve seen determined runners escape over the top or through the drainage holes.
A dedicated container on a patio, deck, or windowsill is the only surefire way to keep it in check. This strategy puts you in complete control. You dictate the soil, the water, and the location, moving the pot for more or less sun as the seasons change. There is no battle for territory.
Furthermore, a container concentrates the plant’s energy. Instead of spending resources on world domination, a potted mint plant focuses on producing dense, flavorful foliage right where you want it. This means more leaves for your tea, your cocktails, or your kitchen creations, all without the back-breaking work of pulling up runners from your onion patch.
Spearmint ‘Kentucky Colonel’ for Classic Flavor
When you think of mint, you’re probably thinking of spearmint. ‘Kentucky Colonel’ is the quintessential expression of that classic flavor. It has large, bright green, crinkled leaves and a sweet, mild minty taste that’s less sharp than peppermint.
This is your go-to, all-purpose mint. It’s the traditional choice for mint juleps for a reason—its flavor is robust enough to stand up to bourbon but smooth enough not to overpower it. It also makes a fantastic iced tea, a simple syrup, or a classic mint sauce to serve with lamb. If you can only have one mint, this is a strong, reliable contender that delivers exactly what you expect.
Chocolate Mint: A Unique, Rich Dessert Herb
Chocolate mint is a variety of peppermint that genuinely smells like a Peppermint Patty. The aroma is uncanny, a perfect blend of cool mint and rich, dark chocolate. It’s a sensory experience before you even taste it, with darker stems and slightly rounder leaves than its relatives.
This isn’t your mint for savory dishes. Its unique profile is best suited for the sweeter side of the kitchen. Muddle a few leaves into your weekend coffee, infuse it into cream for homemade ice cream, or simply chop it up as a garnish for brownies or chocolate mousse. It’s a novelty that proves its worth by elevating simple desserts into something special.
Pineapple Mint’s Mild, Fruity, Variegated Leaves
If you want a mint that’s as beautiful as it is useful, look no further than pineapple mint. Its fuzzy, cream-edged leaves make it one of the most visually striking herbs you can grow. The variegation adds a soft, decorative touch to any container garden arrangement.
The name isn’t just a gimmick; it has a genuinely mild, sweet, and fruity aroma that hints at pineapple. This makes it a poor choice for a mojito but an excellent one for fruit salads, summer drinks, or as a delicate garnish for sorbet. Because its flavor is so gentle, it’s a great introductory mint for kids or for anyone who finds other varieties too intense. It also tends to be slightly less aggressive than its cousins, though it still absolutely needs a pot.
Mojito Mint: The Authentic Choice for Cocktails
Yes, there is a specific mint for mojitos, and this is it. While any spearmint will do in a pinch, true Mojito mint (Mentha x villosa) is the authentic Cuban variety. It has a milder, less pungent flavor and a hint of citrus that distinguishes it from the sharper taste of other spearmints.
The key difference is that its flavor doesn’t turn bitter or overpowering when muddled. This is crucial for cocktail making. You get a clean, refreshing mint essence that perfectly complements the lime and rum without tasting like toothpaste. For the cocktail aficionado, growing this specific variety is a simple step that makes a world of difference in the final product.
Ginger Mint: A Zesty, Spicy Aromatic Variety
For those who want to push the boundaries of the mint family, Ginger Mint is a fantastic choice. Also known as Slender Mint, this variety has a warm, spicy undertone that really does evoke the scent of ginger. The flavor is a complex mix of fruity spearmint with a zesty kick on the finish.
This unique profile makes it incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It pairs beautifully with Asian-inspired marinades, spicy noodle dishes, or infused into hot water for a uniquely warming tea. There is also a variegated version with gold-streaked leaves that adds another layer of visual appeal to your container herb garden. It’s a great way to add an unexpected twist to familiar recipes.
Corsican Mint: A Tiny, Creeping Groundcover Mint
Corsican mint is the odd one out, and that’s what makes it so interesting. It doesn’t grow upright but forms a dense, moss-like mat of tiny, bright green leaves. When you brush against it, it releases an intense, clean aroma of crème de menthe.
Because of its creeping nature, it’s not a mint you’d harvest by the handful. Instead, use it as a fragrant "living mulch" at the base of a larger potted plant, like a dwarf citrus tree. You can also grow it in a shallow bowl on its own, where it creates a beautiful, aromatic carpet. A few leaves are all you need to flavor liqueurs or confections, as its taste is surprisingly potent for such a tiny plant.
Basic Potting and Care for Your Contained Mint
Even the toughest mint needs a little help to thrive in a container. The goal is to replicate its ideal conditions—consistent moisture and room to grow—without letting it escape. Get these basics right, and you’ll have a healthy, productive plant.
Start with the right container. A small pot will become a tangled mass of roots in a single season, stunting the plant’s growth. Choose a pot that’s at least 12 inches in diameter (a 5-gallon pot is a great start) with plenty of drainage holes. Plastic or glazed ceramic pots are better than unglazed terra cotta, as they retain moisture more effectively.
Mint isn’t picky about soil but does best in a quality, all-purpose potting mix. The key considerations for care are simple:
Miracle-Gro Potting Mix feeds container plants for up to 6 months, promoting more blooms and vibrant color. This bundle includes two 8-quart bags, ideal for annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and shrubs.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In the heat of summer, you may need to water a potted mint every day.
- Sunlight: Mint loves sun, but it can get scorched by intense afternoon heat. A spot with 5-6 hours of morning sun and some afternoon shade is perfect.
- Harvesting: This is the most important part. Regularly pinch off the top sets of leaves. This encourages the plant to grow bushier and more productive, and it prevents it from getting leggy and flowering, which can make the leaves bitter. Don’t be shy; you can’t really over-prune a healthy mint plant.
Every two or three years, your mint will likely become root-bound. When you see growth slowing down, it’s time to act. Simply pull the plant out of its pot, use a sharp spade or knife to divide the root ball into a few sections, and repot one section with fresh soil. You can give the other divisions to friends and share the mint love—responsibly, of course.
Containing mint isn’t about limiting it; it’s about channeling its incredible vigor for your own benefit. By choosing a variety that matches your taste and giving it a proper home in a pot, you get all of the reward with none of the regret. You’ll have an endless supply of fresh, aromatic leaves ready for whatever you’re cooking, mixing, or brewing.
