Mint Needs Its Own Container

Mint is the first herb I would buy for a small container garden, and the last one I would put in a shared planter. It spreads by runners and can crowd out slower herbs.

My next Flower World trip in Maltby has a short list:

• one mint starter
• one 10–12 inch pot with a drainage hole
• potting mix
• a saucer if the pot sits on the deck

The separate pot also makes mint easy to move. It can start in morning sun, then shift into afternoon shade if the leaves look tired. I can trim a few stems for iced tea or cooking without letting the plant take over a bed shared with basil or chives.