When to Plant Mint in California

Growing Mint in California: Complete Guide

Mint (Mentha spicata) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In California, the right time to direct sow is around Thursday, December 18, 2025, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because California stretches across 12 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Mint fits comfortably within California's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Mint requires partial shade to full sun and regular (keep moist) moisture. California's microclimates vary widely — coastal gardens stay cooler while inland valleys can reach extreme summer heat.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of California.