How Much Sun Does Mint Need to Grow?

Optimal Sunlight

• Because mint performs best in full sun to partial shade, knowing what those terms mean is helpful. "Full sun" means at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. "Partial shade" means two to six hours of direct sunlight per day. Plants that require partial shade should receive direct sunlight in early morning to early afternoon hours and shade when temperatures warm in late afternoon through early evening. Mint plants placed on the east side of a garden or near a shade tree will receive filtered sunlight or shade in afternoon.

Too Much Sunlight

• Mint roots suffer in an area exposed to full-day, hot sunlight that bakes and dries their ground. When roots suffer from exposure to sun-baked soil, they fail to grow properly and produce useless, weak, woody growth. Mint plants thrive in moist soil and require a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch around their roots to prevent them from drying and dying back. Ornamental mint, including jewel mint, has bright-green foliage that fades when exposed to hot sunlight.

Indoors

• Mint can be grown in pots indoors. Indoor mint requires five hours of sunlight per day. Herbs such as mint, however, often need more sunlight during winter months or when grown indoors. Select a location near a south- or west-facing window for your mint plants. Water the plants' soil as needed to keep it moist but not soggy. Poking your finger about 1 inch deep into a plant's soil is one way to check the soil's moisture level; if the soil feels dry to your touch at that depth, then water the soil until water runs out of the plant pot's drainage holes.

Other Considerations

• When given adequate sunlight and water, mint plants grow quickly and can become invasive. Mint spreads rapidly via underground runners, creating large, lush-green patches of mint. Prevent mint from taking over an entire garden by planting the mint in pots or on raised beds to create borders. When planted directly in a garden, mint quickly can form a fragrant, ground-cover with tiny pink, white or purple flowers on terminal spikes. If you wish to use mint as a ground-cover, ensure it has plenty of room to spread.