33 thoughts on “How To Keep Invasive Mint Plants CONTAINED!”

1. Mrs Shoes at

   That looks darned pretty! I surely hope it works. I have only grown mint in containers, for the same concerns. It is such a lovely smell to have around though, that I can’t not have any.

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      It’s on its 2nd or 3rd year right now and it’s still contained beautifully. And I think it looks awesome too. ~TxH~

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2. ColleenB. at

   Looks like your mint is thriving; mine as well. The 1st or 2nd year that I planted mint I had made / canned some mint jelly. Don’t know how you feel about people adding links but here are 21 ordinary ways on using mint. http://www.naturallivingideas.com/21-ways-to-use-mint/ . Some I knew and some where new to me.
   Have a great weekend Tammy
   We hope to start on my 16×24 ‘she’ shed soon :}

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      “She Shed”… Love it! Enjoy your weekend, sweet girl! ~TxH~

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3. justin at

   I made the mistake of letting mine “free range” and it took over! I won’t be making that mistake again…

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      Ugh, I was so afraid of that Justin. I just trimmed the mint back to make sure it didn’t lean over & root into the surrounding area – I really like the way it looks trimmed since the metal ring shows better. I chopped up the trimmings & tossed them into the hens nesting boxes so even then nothing gets wasted! ~TxH~

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4. Janet Vinyard at

   Interesting post with great ideas from author and readers! My peppermint is struggling this year because we’ve had so many 90+ days in a row this summer. My oregano has given up the ghost but my basil and lemon thyme are thriving. Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      My mint has always died Janet, which is why I asked my family for starts of theirs – I was tired of buying it over & over again just to have it die. This spearmint given to me by my aunt is very vigorous! I don’t water it no matter what the weather and it’s just happy to grow and bloom all summer long. The bees love it! ~TxH~

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5. Vickie at

   I have some spearmint in a pot right next to our beehives. The bees absolutely maul the plant when it is in full bloom! I’m going to harvest some of them mint later after it finishes blooming for some winter tea. I just adore hot mint tea when I have the sniffles!

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      That’s so interesting Vickie, my wheels are turning on how to get some mint out there by our hives and be able to trim the longer stems from time to time to keep the mint from getting loose in the pasture! Ours is always covered with the big yellow/black bumble bees but I’ve never seen our girls on it – guess they can’t compete with the big guys. Thinking cap: ON! ~TxH~

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6. Beth C at

   That is just beautiful! I love the look you have there! I wish I could give you some of my trailing daisy. It spreads but isn’t quite as invasive as mint. 😉

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      Thanks Beth – you should see it now! It’s completely filled out and profusely blooming, absolutely beautiful! ~TxH~

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7. Sandra at

   The galvanized ring is a great idea for containing the mint ‘ s root system however there are seeds to consider too. In fact Lemon Balm mostly spreads by seed. The key is not to let them go to flower, hence produce seed heads. Take it from one who let her Lemon Balm flower. (Lol)
   Sandra

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      …the voice of lessons hard learned are often the wisest, eh Sandra? Thanks for the tip. ~TxH~

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8. Charlene Dryman at

   I wish catnip would grow as profusely as mint. Mine won’t even sprout. I would love to have a yard full of nothing but lavender, but they say it won’t grow here either. zone 9a, by Galveston, Tx

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      Ummmm… I’d love to have a yard full of lavender too Charlene – how awesome would that be??!! ~TxH~

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9. Emily at

   I have always kept my mint in containers because I’m afraid it’ll take over my whole yard if I put it in a bed! You are brave 😉 But I think your galvanized ring solution is a great idea! Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday last week.

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   1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

      I’m hopeful this will give me the best of both worlds – beautiful mint with a decorative touch in my beds without extra weeding, etc. Fingers crossed! ~TxH~

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10. Therese Bizabishaka at

    I haven’t grown mint yet but when I do will put it in a pot. My oregano was very invasive and was very hard to get out of the garden bed.

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       I was excited to get my oregano started and it grew beautifully for almost two years, but another gripping drought killed it out. I planted more seeds this year – fingers crossed! ~TxH~

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11. Katie at

    So funny – I love having mint too but MAN is it invasive! I was thinking about just putting a small pot of it on my deck. Thanks for sharing this idea, good one! Found you at #homematters link party!

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       This arrangement looks great in my landscaping Katie, and the mint has already rebounded and filled out the container. I’ll be harvesting my first of the year very soon – I absolutely love mint! ~TxH~

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12. Gabrielle Tyler at

    I love it! Thanks for the share. Mint is a necessity and this is such a help.

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       I agree Gabrielle – I’ve never been successful growing mint but this plant is so prolific it keeps me supplied in as much as I can pick. ~TxH~

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13. Sue at

    My husband had an old cattle self watering tank that I claimed and painted and planted my mint in it.

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       I commandeered an old trough too and planted it with various veggies/garlic, etc. Great minds thinking alike, eh Sue?? Love it! ~TxH~

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14. Kate @ Teaching What Is Good at

    Great idea! I’ve been wanting to try putting in some mint but the fear of being taken over was huge! I think I’ll give this a try.

    Stopping over from Sew Crafty Angel’s linkup.

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       So glad you stopped by, Kate. I’m hopeful this technique will work, and I love the way it looks. I’ve had to dig out rogue mint starts from roots I apparently left when I dug it all up, but it’s certainly been manageable. I love my mint, and I look forward to harvesting lots of it very soon. ~TxH~

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15. ColleenB.~Texas at

    I keep my contained by planting mine in large container.
    Mint, like Lemon Balm spreads big time and have made a mistake by planting lemon balm in the ground and I thought I never would get rid of it.
    Even tho lemon balm doesn’t spread by runners under ground the way mint does it will spread and take over Everything. keeping lemon balm in tact from taking up too much of your garden, cut the plant back to a few inches tall several times during the growing season. This will keep the plant bushy and healthy-looking while preventing seeds from ripening.
    If you have a barrier that is buried 18-24inches, the mint will laugh at any barrier less than that — and it may leap over or tunnel under anyway. Growing mint in containers is probably the best way to keep these plants under control.
    ( Didn’t know if you excepted links here so sending you a link on planting mint in container and then bury it in the ground)

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       Not sure where my reply to your comment went the other day Colleen, but I see it’s not listed here. Hummm… Just wanted to let you know that I did get your other link – thanks for sending. I’ve read before that it’s possible to contain mint in an open-bottom container like the one I used as long as it’s deeply buried and there’s still an exposed ridge around the top, fingers crossed that it works well since I really like the way this setup looks. Thanks for sharing the link and for your comment! ~TxH~

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       1. ColleenB.~Texas at

          Wishing you all the best on your mint. Keep us informed on how your technique works.
          Enjoy your week and wishing you and all mother’s out there a very Happy Mother’s Day come Sunday

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16. Linda at

    Congratulations! That is pretty much the only way I have read to contain mint, is basically a container – which is what you sort of made there.

    Have a blessed weekend!

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    1. Texas Homesteader Post author at

       I’m still a little nervous Linda, because some have said that even this is no guarantee that the vigorous roots won’t grow down & out, but I’m hopeful… ~TxH~

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