There is no garden where Mint does not have a place. Mint is an easy-going plant and a very beneficial herb that every seasoned gardener loves.
Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, with friends like basil, thyme, rosemary, and sage, it is a perennial herb with square stems and leaves with a very hard aroma.
They are good summer plants also, and they produce tiny pink, purple, or white flowers that enhance the beauty of the plant.
Mints are medicinal plants used since ancient times to treat cough and cold. They are also highly used for culinary purposes and as toppings in many foods.
If you have a mint plant or plan to grow one in your garden, you should know about Mint’s companion plants, which will help your Mint plant and garden thrive together.
This article will act as a guide for you and will help you on choosing the right companion plants for Mint and your garden. Let’s begin.
Why Does Mint Need Companion Plants?
The question you would be wondering is, Why does mint need companion plants? The answer to this question is Mint requires certain plants to control them and prevent them from pests despite it being a pest-repellent plant.
Let me explain. Gardeners are always on second thoughts about planting a Mint plant as it can be very invasive. Spearmint or Peppermint are known to be notorious spreaders.
Companion plants help control their aggressive growth and protect the garden bed from occupancy.
Due to its aromatic odor, mint repels many insects and pests, like aphids, ants, and earwigs. Still, insects like flea beetle and spider mites are attracted to mints, and companion planting helps mints avoid those insect attacks.
7 Best Mint Companion Plants
We learned why mint needs companion planting; now, let’s check out what plants will be best suited to plant near Mint.
1. Carrots
The first one on the list is ever-loved carrots. Mint increases the flavors of carrots and is considered one of the best companions of Mint.
Carrots are grown underground, and planting Mints nearby will compensate for the spacing. Mint’s odor repels Carrot flies that lay eggs on the roots of developing carrots.
Both carrots and mints complement each other well, helping the overall growth of the garden.
2. Tomatoes
Mints and tomatoes are considered good neighbors; planting them together will make a garden more vibrant and productive.
Tomatoes are red, juicy, and relatively easy to grow. Planting it with mint green leaves will also enhance the visual beauty of the garden.
Mints and tomatoes both have similar growing requirements. They both need at least an 8-hour of sunlight for their healthy growth.
3. Beans
Beans have made it to the list. Mints and beans are good friends, and they thrive when planted together.
Beans fix the nitrogen in the soil and help in regaining and retaining the nutrients Mints requires for healthy growth and sustainability.
Another benefit of planting beans with mints is that they both have the same sunlight and soil requirements.
4. Marigolds
Mint and marigolds go hand in hand, as they complement each other very well; planting them is a blessing for seasoned gardeners.
Marigolds come with green leaves, and when in bloom, they will show a gold, white, or yellow flower, which is absolutely eye-pleasing and attracts many pollinators to the garden bed.
Marigolds repel cucumber beetles, rabbits, squash bugs, nematodes, and many other harmful bugs and insects, creating a layer of natural pesticides for mint and other plants around the garden.
5. Cabbage
If planted right, Cabbage is the best companion plant for mint. This brassicas family member brings lots of nutrients to the food table.
The strong scent of mint helps deter pests like cabbage moths and aphids that feed on the cabbage leaves. Cabbage has a long planting season making it ever-beneficial.
6. Beets
A member of the amaranth family, beets are highly nutritious and cultivated for their roots, known as beetroots which are also very delicious.
Mints planted near beetroots help each other by repelling insects and attracting pollinators to the garden.
Green minty leaves will also increase the beauty of the garden when planted alongside red beets.
7. Eggplant
This addition is a productive one when planted beside Mints. Eggplants are highly beneficial and versatile.
Mint and eggplant have the same growing requirements; they both need full sunlight for healthy and optimal growth.
Mint repels insects and attracts many pollinators, which is crucial for the eggplant enhancing its yield.
2 Worst Companion Plants For Mint
Now that you know what plants you can choose to grow around mints, let us see what plants you should avoid planting near mints, which can hamper the growth of both plants.
1. Sage And Rosemary
Mint plants require moisture, whereas Sage and Rosemary are herbs that enjoy much drier soil and growing conditions.
They both can not be planted nearby; otherwise, it will be a disaster for your garden.
2. Strawberries
Everyone knows the mantra of Mint plants, spread, spread and spread. And if planted nearby strawberries, Mint will take over the strawberries plant in no time.
They both are prone to a fungal disease called verticillium wilt. Planting them together will only escalate the disease in the garden.
What Are Mint Growing Requirements?
If you plan on growing Mints in your garden, you should know their soil, water, and other growing requirements.
Below are the basic growing requirements of Mint plants.
1. Sunlight Requirement
Mint plants will thrive in full sun and will grow in partial shade. They can survive in shady conditions, too, but make sure you protect them from strong heat conditions.
2. Soil Requirement
The mint plant is not of choosy type, it can grow well in almost any soil conditions. It prefers good drainage and rich soil conditions. Prevent the plant from water-logging soil.
3. Water Requirement
Mint plants do not like soggy soil; watering the plant when the top inch of the soil gets dry will ensure the moisture the plant requires.
Water the plant early in the morning to keep the soil moist when the day passes, and the temperature rises. Light water is needed to keep the soil moist if there is too much heat.
4. Temperature Requirement
The mint plants are adaptable, and their survival depends on the variety of mint plants. A peppermint plant can survive in cooler temperatures and can grow even if the temperature is very cold.
Whereas spearmint plants grow when the temperature is a bit warm and thrives in ideal summer conditions.
5. Fertilizer Requirement
Mint plants do not need significant fertilizing if you have good nutrient-rich soil. If you have lost richness in your soil, you can add supplemental fertilizer every 6 weeks in a growing season other than that, your plant will do well.
Grass Diseases And Pests
Mint grows well and tastes even better. It has medical properties and many other advantages but also has its share of problems like diseases and pests.
Let’s learn more about the diseases and pests in Mint plants.
1. Fungal Diseases
Mint plants are prone to fungal diseases in which the new shoots of the plant get pale and falling of leaves or dying of leaf tissues occur.
This can happen under any conditions, and the best way to eliminate them is to remove the infected plant to stop the spread. Giving heat treatments to the plant’s roots is another way to stop the fungal.
2. Mild Dew
You may observe mild dew in your mint plant, it happens when the soil is too wet for long. If you see mold on your soil, scrap it with a spade or any such thing and Remove it gently.
If the plant is highly affected, you may need to shift the whole plant to another spot.
3. Spider Mites
If you witness a leaf getting yellow or bronzed, it might be the doing of spider mites.
You will see the leaves covered with webs, and if you look closely and have sharp eyesight, you may witness little white dots moving the underside of the leaves.
Conclusion
Mints are an attraction in the garden and are highly beneficial in the kitchen. But planting mint plants and bad companion plants can lead to a disaster in the garden.
This article will prevent you from such disasters as you will find seven good companion plants to grow with mint plants and two of the worst companion plants you should avoid. This article will also enlighten you about the growing requirements and any diseases or pests mint plants are vulnerable to.
Make the most of it, and happy gardening, everyone.