Growing Mint in Canada: How to Keep Thriving Through Winter

Mint is one of the few herbs that shrugs off a Canadian winter and comes back stronger every spring. It's hardy, quick to establish, and endlessly useful in the kitchen. The catch is that it doesn't like to stay put, so the secret to growing it well is giving it a a place of its own to grow.

What Makes Mint So Hard to Keep in One Spot 

Mint rarely needs to be grown from seed because it multiplies so easily on its own. In the soil, it spreads through rhizomes, creeping stems that travel through the top few centimetres of soil. Above ground, it sends out stolons, runners that root wherever they touch more space to grow.

Each node on those stems can sprout roots and new growth. That's why a 10–15 cm (4–6") cutting in a glass of water usually roots in one to two weeks. If you've ever tipped out a pot and found thick white roots that look like tubers, those are actually stems.

Did you know? Peppermint is a natural hybrid that almost never produces viable seeds, so most peppermint plants in Canadian gardens started as single cuttings.

Because mint spreads by its stems, the simplest fix to prevent this is physical walls. A solid cedar raised garden bed keeps the plant in its own space and out of your other garden space.

A Raised Bed Built for Canadian Gardens 

Our raised garden beds come in lengths from 18" to 72" , so there's a size for a condo balcony, a backyard deck, or a full side yard. They're made from WRCLA certified Western Red Cedar, a wood that naturally resists rot without chemical treatments that could leach into your herb soil. Standing 24–30" (61–76 cm) tall with a 12" (30 cm) deep planting basin, they let you tend and harvest at a comfortable height, with no kneeling on cold, wet ground.

When and How to Plant Mint in Canada

In much of Canada, it's safest to plant mint outdoors once the risk of frost has passed, often around the May long weekend, though timing varies by region. Fall planting also works well if you get it in four to six weeks before the ground freezes.

1. Choose a nursery plant or a rooted cutting rather than seed, which is slow and unreliable.
2. Fill your bed with moist potting mix, leaving about 2.5 cm (1") below the rim.
3. Set the plant at the same depth it grew in its pot and water until it drains.
4. After one to two weeks, pinch about 2.5 cm (1") off the tip of each stem to encourage bushier growth.

Tip: Planning to grow mint near other herbs? Sink it in its own nursery pot inside the bed, leaving a couple of centimetres of rim above the soil, so its runners have a harder time escaping.

Harvesting Mint for Fuller Plants

When stems are a few inches tall, snip each one just above a pair of leaves using clean scissors. Never remove more than about a third of the plant at a time. Each cut usually branches into two new stems, so frequent harvesting gives you a denser, leafier plant.

• Time of day: Mid-morning, once the dew has dried and the leaves are most aromatic.
• Timing in the season: Before the plant flowers, since blooming can make the leaves taste bitter.
• Mid-summer refresh: If stems turn long and woody, trim the whole plant back to about 5 cm (2"). New growth returns within a few weeks.

Canadian fall frosts can arrive early, so watch your local forecast and do a big harvest before the first hard freeze. Dry small bundles hanging in a dark, airy spot for one to two weeks, or freeze chopped leaves in ice cube trays for winter cooking.

Fresh Mint Tea for Cold Canadian Evenings

A warming mug that's ready in 10 minutes. Makes 2 servings.

• 1 loosely packed cup (250 mL) of fresh mint, about 10 to 12 sprigs
• 2 cups (500 mL) water
• 1 to 2 tsp (5–10 mL) honey
• 2 thin lemon slices
• Optional: 3 thin slices of fresh ginger

1. Rinse the mint and gently roll it between your hands to release its oils.
2. Boil the water, then let it rest for about 30 seconds.
3. Pour it over the mint (and ginger, if using), cover, and steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Strain, stir in the honey, and finish with lemon.

Keep the pot covered while it steeps. Mint's aromatic oils escape with the steam, so an uncovered pot means a fragrant kitchen but a weaker cup.

Many people enjoy mint tea as a calming, caffeine-free way to wind down after dinner, and the menthol leaves a cool, refreshing feeling. Peppermint can aggravate heartburn or acid reflux for some people, so talk to your doctor if that's a concern.

Mint in Canada: Common Questions

Can mint survive a Canadian winter outdoors?
After your final harvest, cut plants back to about 5 cm (2") and cover them with a thick layer of straw or shredded leaves. In the coldest areas, move smaller pots into an unheated garage or shed.

Can I grow mint indoors over the winter?
Yes. Pot up a rooted cutting in the fall and keep it in a bright, south-facing window. Growth will be slower, but you'll have fresh leaves for tea all winter.

Should I grow spearmint or peppermint?
Spearmint has a sweeter, milder flavour that's great in salads and drinks. Peppermint is bolder and makes an excellent after-dinner tea. Both handle Canadian winters well.

How much water does mint need?
During summer heat, check the soil every day and water whenever the top 2.5 cm (1") feels dry. A 30 cm (12") deep raised garden bed holds moisture much longer than a small container, which means less watering on hot July days.