Buzz
Mint is an ideal plant for starting your herb garden. This plant is often grown in pots due to its highly invasive nature, with roots that spread widely and take over the surrounding soil. You can choose from 600 varieties of mint, providing it with enough water and sunlight for healthy growth.
Steps
Choose your plant variety
Plant peppermint (peppermint mint) if you prefer a strong flavor for making tea or for other uses.
Look for spearmint if your garden or windowsill receives plenty of sunlight and heat throughout the year. This type of mint is especially popular in the southern United States.
Opt for pineapple mint if you'd like to plant it alongside other plants. This is one of the least invasive varieties of mint.
Choose lemon mint if you enjoy a fresh citrus flavor in your lemonade or iced tea.
Try planting apple mint for a milder flavor with a subtle fresh apple scent. Apple mint is widely loved in salads and beverages.
Begin planting the herbs
Visit a plant shop to buy young mint plants. Mint seeds are not easy to germinate, so only experienced gardeners should try growing mint from seeds. Once you bring the plant home, place it directly into a potting mix or container soil.
- Plant shops will have various mint varieties; however, you can also find young and mature mint plants at local farmers' markets or supermarkets.
Cut a sprig from a mature mint plant. If you know someone who grows mint, you can ask for a cutting, or find one at a nearby garden. Use sharp scissors to snip a sprig above a node, about 1.3 cm long. Make sure the sprig is at least 10-15 cm long, then remove most of the leaves.
Use mint sprigs from the fresh produce section in the supermarket. Not all sprigs will root successfully, but this is also an option if you want to experiment with leftover mint if you're curious to give it a try.
Pour water into a clean cup. Place the fresh mint sprigs into the cup to allow the plant to root. Set the cup in a warm spot with sunlight, and wait for the white roots to start appearing.
- Top off the water as needed to ensure it's always full.
Wait until the white roots grow a few centimeters before transplanting. The roots may grow long enough to reach the bottom of the cup or pot.
Choose a Pot for Planting
Buy a plant pot with a diameter of at least 30 cm. Mint plants need ample space to grow.
Select a pot with drainage holes at the bottom. Mint grows best in well-drained soil. It's a good idea to get a pot tray to prevent any stains on your windowsill or patio.
Get a larger pot if you plan to plant mint with other herbs. You can place a 30 cm pot inside a larger one, alongside other herbs. Keep in mind that some mint varieties can still take over the entire pot by sending their roots through the drainage holes at the bottom.
- If you're growing mint with other herbs, you'll need to separate them during the growing season.
Plant the Herb in the Pot
Buy some coarse compost at a plant shop. You can also mix potting soil with nutrient-rich compost. Mint requires fertile, well-draining soil to grow well.
Fill one-third of the pot with compost and potting soil.
Insert the mint sprig or seedling into the pot. If the roots are too long, gently coil them to fit.
Fill the pot around the mint plant with soil. Press the soil down firmly enough to keep the plant standing upright.
Place plastic sheeting over a spot in your garden if you want to set the mint pot outdoors but prevent it from spreading. Place the pot into the ground, ensuring the rim is about 13 cm above the soil surface.
- If possible, it's better to avoid planting mint directly in the garden. Consider placing it in the yard or on a windowsill to keep it from spreading.
Insert several wooden stakes beside the mint plant to support it. You can remove the stakes once the plant becomes sturdy.
Care for the Plant in the Pot
Water the soil until the water reaches the roots. In the first year, water whenever the soil feels dry. The soil should always stay moist.
- If the weather is hot, you may need to water several times a day.
Place the pot in an east-facing location. Mint grows best when it receives 6 or more hours of sunlight daily but also needs protection from harsh afternoon sun. If there's too little sunlight in winter, the plant may die.
Wait until the mint plant has fully matured and the leaves are large before harvesting the stems. Regular pruning once the plant is flourishing will help it grow strong, and the leaves will smell wonderful.
Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the top half of the plant. Make the cut about 1 cm above the node and avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the leaves on the plant each time. If you let the mint plant flower, it will divert its energy into blooming and will slow down its leaf growth.
Separate the plant every few years. Divide the root ball into four sections, then place each section in a new pot that is at least 30 cm wide. This provides the plant enough room to grow. If you do not separate them, the plant will become stunted and won't grow evenly.
Things You Need
- Young mint plant
- Sharp scissors
- Fully grown mint plant
- Plant pot with drainage holes
- Water tray for the plant pot
- Potting soil
- Compost fertilizer
- Windowsill
- Water
- Cup
- Wooden stick
