How to Grow Mint

Mint is a fragrant herb with many uses. It can add a burst of flavor to fruit salads, lamb, and fish dishes, and can even be included in iced tea or cocktails. There are various types of mint, all of which are easy to grow and can thrive for years if properly cared for. However, mint is an invasive plant and may compete with other plants if left to grow freely. When planting mint, it is best to grow it in a pot or take measures to control the growth of its roots underground.

Take a cutting from an established mint plant. Mint is difficult to grow from seeds, and sowing seeds is nearly impossible for certain varieties, like peppermint. Cut a 10 cm long stem, leaving about 1 cm above the node so new shoots can grow in the right place. The cutting doesn't need to have many leaves, almost any stem will work. Place the cutting in a glass of water, making sure the submerged leaves are removed. Within a week, small white root strands will appear in the water. Wait another few days to a week for the roots to grow to a suitable length.

• Top up the water in the glass if necessary. Be sure to change the water every 4-5 days to prevent rotting.

Purchase a young mint plant. You can find young mint plants at most nurseries and garden centers. There are various types of mint, such as sweet mint, chocolate mint, spearmint, lemon mint, apple mint, and peppermint. Spearmint is the most commonly used variety in cooking. Mint is a fast-growing, spreading plant, making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Look for the runner stems of the growing plant. Runner stems are long branches that stretch out and take root underground. You can carefully dig these up and transplant them. If you have friends growing mint, you can ask for some runner stems to start your own plant.

Choose the best time to plant mint. Spring is the ideal season for planting mint, although you can also plant it in the fall if you live in an area that doesn't experience frost. While mint is a hardy plant, it is best to plant it at the most favorable time.

Plant the young plant or rooted cutting in a pot. Growing mint in a pot is the most common method, as it’s easy to manage and you can place the pot near your kitchen for frequent use. Mint spreads rapidly, and its roots can interfere with other plants. For this reason, it’s best to plant mint in its own pot. Use a pot about 30–40 cm wide for each plant.

• You may want to add a water-retaining polymer to the soil to keep it moist and avoid drying out. Alternatively, you can use perlite or vermiculite as a substitute for the polymer.

Place the young plant or rooted cutting just beneath the soil surface. If planting multiple young plants, space them about 15 cm apart. This will give each plant enough room to grow.

Select a location with plenty of sunlight. When planting mint in the ground or placing a pot outdoors, choose a spot that receives sunlight in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon. The plant needs full sunlight to thrive, but without drying out. Mint grows best in deep, moist soil, so ensure this condition is met. You can even place your mint pot indoors on a windowsill, as long as it gets enough sunlight.

Consider the plant's location. If you're planting mint directly in the ground, choose a moist area with full sun or partial shade. The optimal conditions for mint are nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Although mint can grow easily on its own, adding a bit of fertilizer every few weeks won’t harm it. Keep the soil moist by applying mulch around the roots to protect them.

Sink the pot into the ground if you want to grow mint in a flower bed. In this case, place the mint in a container such as a pot or a mesh bag, burying it at least 13 cm deep. The top of the pot should remain above ground level to prevent the roots from spreading out. Without this, your mint will spread to unwanted areas.

• You can also plant mint in a raised pot, in an area you want to cover in your garden, or use bricks or wooden barriers to create a boundary for the mint.

Water regularly. During the first year of growing mint, it's essential to water it consistently. Use your finger to check the soil's dryness. Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet. If your plant is in direct sunlight, you may need to water it more often. Check regularly to ensure the plant receives enough water without overwatering.

Prune the plant’s top. This helps control the plant's height while encouraging fresh, rounded growth around the plant. It also aids in harvesting. When checking the plant for watering needs, be sure to also monitor if it’s growing too tall.

Pinch off the flower buds to keep the plant neat. Mint plants typically produce tiny flowers from June to September. It's a good idea to trim the buds before they bloom, to prevent the plant from growing out of control. Removing flower buds as they appear will also help extend the harvest season.

Divide the plant every two to three years. Only do this if you're growing mint in a pot. After a few years, the plant will outgrow its pot, and the roots will become crowded. Remove the plant from the pot and divide it into smaller plants. Dividing and replanting every two to three years, or even every three to four years, will keep the mint’s flavor fresh and strong.

Treat the mint with a fungicide if it develops rust disease. Rust, a fungal disease that causes brown-orange spots on the undersides of leaves, is one of the few diseases that mint plants are susceptible to.

Watch for pests and diseases. Mint plants can be affected by diseases like Verticillium wilt or leaf spot disease, and may also be infested by insects like flea beetles or root weevils. However, this is rare because mint’s strong fragrance helps repel insects and other pests. Ensure proper air circulation and good drainage in the soil to keep the plant healthy. If pests are spotted, you can use a garden hose to wash them off the plant.

• You may also wash the leaves with antibacterial soap.
• Remember to check the undersides of the leaves, as that’s where pests tend to hide.

Pick fresh mint leaves from late spring to early fall as needed. Never harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time, and allow the plant to regrow before harvesting again. You can pick just the amount you need when necessary.

• If you plan to dry the mint leaves, hang the stems upside down. Gather them into small bunches and tie with string or rubber bands, or lay them flat. Once the leaves and stems are fully dry and crisp, remove the leaves and store them in jars, resealable plastic bags, or airtight containers.

Harvest as much as possible before the first frost each year. The plant's roots can survive the frost and will regrow in the spring, but the above-ground portion will die off. To protect the roots, cover the plant with mulch before winter arrives. For harvesting mint, cut the stems. If you’re harvesting a larger amount, wait until just before the plant flowers and cut the entire plant above the first or second set of leaves.

• Typically, you can harvest about three main crops in one season.

Using Mint. There are countless ways to use mint, and you can prepare it however you like. However, there are a few common uses that you should know. Here are some great ways to use mint:

• Serve with fish, chicken, lamb, or other meats to enhance the flavor of the dish.
• Use as a seasoning for vegetables like carrots, beans, and potatoes.
• Boost the flavor of vegetable salads like fruit salads, beetroot and fig salad, or walnut and goat cheese salad.
• Use mint in beverages like iced tea, punch, or lemonade.
• Incorporate mint into cocktails such as mojitos or mint juleps.

• Làm rào chắn nếu bạn muốn trồng bạc hà trong vườn. Chôn chiếc xô không có đáy vào đất và đặt rễ cây vào trong. Như vậy bạc hà sẽ không lan ra quá xa.
• Cân nhắc trồng bạc hà lục và bạc hà cay vì chúng có nhiều công dụng và là loại bạc hà phổ biến phù hợp nhất trong ẩm thực. Để có hương vị độc đáo hơn, bạn có thể cân nhắc trồng các giống bạc hà white peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, bergamot mint, basil mint, lemon mint, lime mint, hoặc curly mint và một số giống khác.
• Cố gắng trồng bạc hà cách xa các cây cối khác, vì chúng lan ra rất dễ dàng, rất nhanh và sẽ chiếm cả khu vườn nhỏ trồng các loại thảo mộc khác.
• Ngắt các nhánh bạc hà và lá cây bên trên các cụm lá. Để lại ít nhất một cụm lá trên mỗi cành chính và các thân cây để lại phải có chiều cao ít nhất 7,5 cm (tính từ mặt đất). Phương pháp này cũng tạo ra cây bạc hà sum suê hơn, thấp hơn (điều này là tốt) vì cây sẽ buộc phải ra nhánh và mọc nhiều lá hơn.

• Không để cây bạc hà trồng trong chậu chạm xuống đất vườn hoặc bò vào các chậu trồng cây khác. Các chồi cây khỏe mạnh của bạc hà có thể bén rễ xuống đất, cho dù vẫn còn dính vào cây mẹ.
• Nếu thấy bạc hà ra hoa, bạn hãy ngắt hoa đi để giữ chất lượng của lá. Hoa nở trên cây trông đẹp mắt nhưng sẽ lấy hết năng lượng dùng để nuôi lá của cây.
• Bạc hà có tính xâm lấn, tức là chúng lan rất nhanh nếu sống trong môi trường tốt. Bạn nên trồng bạc hà trong chậu và cách xa các cây cối khác. Đảm bảo chậu cây không bị nứt, vì rễ bạc hà có thể mọc xuyên qua những kẽ nứt.

• Young mint plant
• Mint plant
• Plant pot
• Pot without a bottom
• Glass of water