Rainline Garden

When to plant mint in Portland, OR

Plant young mint plants in Portland Mar 15 – May 10.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Portland's typical last spring frost is March 13. In the west-side valleys, the soil is usually ready for mint around March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
One plant per pot, or 18 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
Pick lightly the first summer, then as much as you like

Step by step

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant young mint plants Mar 15 – May 10, One plant per pot, or 18 inches apart. Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot.
  3. Water regularly; mint likes moist soil. Cut it back hard in midsummer for a fresh flush of leaves.
  4. Harvest: Snip stems just above a pair of leaves. Regular cutting keeps plants bushy.

Varieties that do well here

  • Spearmint
  • Peppermint
  • Mojito mint

Watch out for

Mint spreads underground and takes over beds. Grow it in a container.

Spreads aggressively by underground runners, so grow it in a pot or a bottomless bucket sunk in the ground.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Portland, OR?

Typically March 13. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 1. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Portland International Airport.

Is it too late to plant mint in Portland?

The spring planting window runs through May 10. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can pick mint?

Pick lightly the first summer, then as much as you like. Snip stems just above a pair of leaves. Regular cutting keeps plants bushy.

Also plant in Portland around the same time

Planting dates for mint in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Portland · Mint in every city