When to Plant Mint in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Sow June to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is June.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Mint guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Vigorous, versatile, and INVASIVE. Always grow in containers. Spearmint (M. spicata) is standard culinary. Peppermint (M. x piperita) for teas. Vietnamese mint (Persicaria odorata) is NOT a true mint but fills a similar niche in warm climates. All true mints spread aggressively by underground runners.
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | S/D | T/D | - | - | - | - | - |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is Mint sowing time in Alice Springs?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Mint included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 21–24°C) ✓ Ready to plant
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Mint in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
When to Plant
Plant Mar-May and Aug-Nov.
- Soil
- Rich, moist soil with plenty of organic matter.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Part shade to full sun. Morning sun, afternoon shade in hot zones.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 30cm between rows
- Watering
- Regular, generous watering. Daily in pots in summer.
Companion plants: Tomato, Cabbage
Avoid planting near: Parsley
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Mint
Recommended Varieties
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
Key Challenges
- Heat and dry air
- Spider mites
- High water demand
Pro Tips
- Morning sun, afternoon shade
- Water daily in summer
- Mist to deter mites
Harvesting Mint
When ready: Harvest once stems 10cm+ tall.
How to harvest: Cut stems to 5cm above soil. Entire plant can be cut to ground. Regrows in 2-3 weeks.
Where to next
Get the Full Interactive Guide
Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.
Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Mint
When do you plant mint in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jul to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan, Aug to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Aug to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jun to Jul
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan, Aug to Dec
Does mint grow all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Jun to Jul. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.