I have mine in a pot on a sheppard's hook. That was the only way I could keep from creeping out the pot and going all over. I just have to remember to water it as it likes a lot. ;o)

I shove mint into my mixed herb planters in the shade, give them plenty of moisture and they do good. Sometimes they will get leggy but you really can't seem to kill them. Of course, like most herbs they hate the heat of summer. Mine will die back and then come up again in fall and spring.

I've got Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) growing in a long planter... unstoppable vigor and quite tasty. I've repotted the same plant twice in one year, and each time it has responded with different growing habits. For instance...

Initially planted in a small pot, it formed a neat little mound and puffed out like a cloud, then died back. I replanted it in a deeper, larger pot and it took on an upright branching habit, with large leaves. Then it died back again. The third and current time around, I have it in a shallow but long windowbox. It now creeps like groundcover, with small leaves growing close-together on "runners" that have formed a tight mat across any available soil.
The soil quality is not great... basically a mixture of local sand and manure/compost. Of course it likes constant water and is doing fine right now in full sun. In the next couple of weeks, it will be moving (with all the other herbs) to a shadier locale for the next 6 months.

Mine seems to follow the rise and fall cycle that others have described. But it's never died. Probably will outlive me :)

evelyn -- what's your secret?

Mine die.
Every year.
Never come back.
In pots on the ground, encouraging them to spread.
Nope.
Dead.
I want to grow mint!

TF, I'll have to get some mint started for you. ;o)

I have my varigated mint in a shallow dish sunk half way into the ground, it has half day shade and gets lots of water. the apple mint I grow in a corner of my herb bed and just keep pulling out the runners to keep it in size, same with this one, half day shade and lots of water.
the spearmint and chocolate mint are in pots... so really, Mint is not picky

but in my experience, when the mint blooms, this is when it gets ugly. So, when I notice it tries to set bloom, that is when I wack it back hard, and the leaves get dried for tea.

Evelyn

I thought they only grew on hotel pillows.

Musicman,
Would you like to trade your apple mint for my chocolate mint? I got a root from a depository about a year ago, and it has been growing nicely. Do not remember the species name, but have it on a tag
Are you going to USF Spring Festival?

Olya

Olya,

Yes, I will be at USF, and sure, I'll trade you. I will try to pot up some of the apple mint this weekend. At the Festival, just look for the tall guy in sunglasses, straw hat, tie-dye shirt, and toting a wagon with a toddler (my son is a budding gardener himself). I'll most likely be there on Saturday, earlier in the day. My name is Ian. see you there!

Hey Ian

I am going there on Saturday morning too...as it get closer, we can approximate a time. I am planting some chocolate mint in a pot today for you :)

Thanks!
Ooya

Evelyn, that variegated mint is beautiful!

Here's my herb pot with spearmint hanging over the side to the right of center. Italians can never have too much parsley!
{{gwi:824733}}