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When to Plant Mint in Tennessee

🌱

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, March 8, 2026

State

Tennessee

USDA Zones

6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Cities Covered

548

Tennessee Planting Schedule by Zone

Tennessee spans 4 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone Last Frost Direct Sow
6b Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Wednesday, March 18, 2026
7a Friday, April 10, 2026 Friday, March 13, 2026
7b Sunday, April 5, 2026 Sunday, March 8, 2026
8a Friday, March 20, 2026 Friday, February 20, 2026

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Mint

Scientific Name Mentha spicata
Days to Maturity 90 days
Plant Type Spreading
Sun Partial Shade to Full Sun
Water Regular (keep moist)
Spacing 18" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Mint

Good Companions

CabbageTomatoPea

Avoid Planting Near

ParsleyChamomile
See the full companion planting guide for Mint →

Growing Mint in Tennessee: Complete Guide

Mint (Mentha spicata) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Tennessee, the right time to direct sow is around Sunday, March 8, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Tennessee stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four 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 Tennessee'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. Most of Tennessee receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

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 Tennessee.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, direct sow Mint outdoors around Sunday, March 8, 2026. Tennessee spans zones 6b–8a, so gardeners in warmer zones can plant earlier.

What is the last frost date in Tennessee?

Tennessee spans 4 USDA zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Roan Mountain (6b) sees frost until around Wednesday, April 15, 2026, while Apison, Collegedale, Conasauga (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Mint take to grow in Tennessee?

Mint takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. In Tennessee's longer-season zones, a second planting in late summer may be possible.

What USDA zones does Tennessee cover for Mint?

Tennessee includes zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Mint grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Adams 7b Adamsville 7b Afton 7a Alamo 7b Alcoa 7b Alexandria 7b Allardt 7a Allons 7a Allred 7a Alpine 7a Altamont 7b Andersonville 7b Antioch 7b Apison 8a Ardmore 7b Arlington 8a Arnold Afb 7b Arrington 7b Arthur 7a Ashland City 7b Athens 7b Atoka 8a Atwood 7b Auburntown 7b Bakewell 7b Bath Springs 7b Baxter 7b Bean Station 7b Beech Bluff 7b Beechgrove 7b Beersheba Springs 7a Belfast 7b Bell Buckle 7b Bells 7b Belvidere 7b Benton 7b Bethel Springs 7b Bethpage 7b Big Rock 7a Big Sandy 7b Birchwood 7b Blaine 7b Bloomington Springs 7b Blountville 7b Bluff City 7b Bogota 7b Bolivar 7b Bon Aqua 7b Braden 8a Bradford 7b Bradyville 7b Brentwood 7b Briceville 7a Brighton 8a Bristol 7a Brownsville 8a Bruceton 7b Brunswick 8a Brush Creek 7b Buchanan 7b +488 more cities

Other Plants for Tennessee

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

When to Plant Mint in Other States

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