When to Harvest Mint Plants?

Mint plants usually produce abundant harvests.

The mint family includes a diverse array of plants, including peppermint, spearmint, apple mint and chocolate mint. The herb is easy to grow in the right conditions and usually produces ample herbs for culinary or other uses.

Harvesting Time

A mint plant can be harvested when it is still young, almost immediately after it emerges in the springtime. According to the University of Rhode Island Extension, young leaves and stems are of the highest quality. Mint usually produces two or three harvests per season. Harvest mint before the plant flowers to prevent it from going to seed.

How to Harvest

Cut mint stems 1 inch above the soil line for large harvests. The Colorado State University Extension recommends harvesting mint in the morning to preserve the maximum amount of flavorful oils in the leaves. You can also remove individual leaves as needed.

Preserving Mint

Dry mint by hanging it upside down in bundles. Refrigerating or freezing mint will cause leaves to turn black. If you must freeze it, chop the leaves and mix them with a bit of water in ice trays to preserve as much flavor as possible.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: List of Common Herbs: Mint
• University of Rhode Island: Growing, Harvesting and Using Culinary Herbs
• Colorado State University Extension: Mint
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Mint in the Garden