Mint (Mentha)

AromaticFlowersHerbs

Mint is a fast-growing, aromatic herb known for its refreshing scent and culinary versatility.

It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it an excellent companion for pest control in the garden.

However, mint spreads aggressively and is best grown in containers to prevent it from overtaking other plants. Its fragrant leaves attract beneficial pollinators while repelling pests like aphids and cabbage moths.

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6 Companion Plants for Mint

• Carrot Mint is a good repellent of the carrot fly, which lays its eggs around the root end of a developing carrot; once hatched, the larvae burrow into the vegetable. Carrot flies also attack parsnips, parsley and celery.
• Cabbage The sharp scent of mint, even when used as a mulch, deters both the white cabbage moth and flea beetles from chewing through the leaves of any brassicas.
• Cauliflower Mint protects cauliflower by repelling pests and attracting beneficial insects.
• Peas Planting mint around vegetables that are particularly appealing to larger critters like mice can help save the crop from incessant rodent snacking.
• Radish

  Radish benefits from being planted near mint because mint’s strong scent repels common radish pests like flea beetles and aphids. This natural pest control helps radishes grow healthier without the need for chemical pesticides.

• Tomatoes Mint is a beneficial companion for tomatoes, enhancing their health and flavor. When grown near stinging nettle, both mint and tomatoes become even more robust, benefiting from the nutrients and protective properties of this wild plant.

3 Neighbor Plants to Avoid near Mint

• Strawberries Mint may overwhelm strawberries by spreading aggressively and competing for nutrients.
• Rosemary

  Rosemary and mint have different growing needs: mint prefers moist soil, while rosemary thrives in dry, well-drained soil.

• Fennel Fennel releases allelopathic chemicals that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including mint. Additionally, both plants have strong root systems and can compete for space and nutrients.