We may earn tax income from the merchandise available on this page and take part in affiliate programme . memorise More ›
Much loved for their refreshing scent and flavor , mint plant are vigorous and far from picky herbs , and arehardy in most zones . However , the invading perennial herb are almost too well-situated to grow as they circularize quickly via underground runners and might run roughshod over the rest of your garden .
You still can raise deal as long as you keep the plants confined to container or to positioning — such as orchards — where they wo n’t bother the much tall industrial plant around them . A prominent part of learning how to produce mint is hear how not to grow too much of it .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Growing Mint at a Glance
Common Name : MintScientific Name : Mentha spp . Hardiness Zone : Varies from 3 to 10Soil : Light , moist , slightly acidicLight : Full sunlight , fond shadeWater : HighFood : Organic piddle - soluble fertilizerPropagation : cutting off , sectionalization , seedsSafety : Most secure in temperance
Mint Plant Characteristics
The common mint type like Mentha piperita , spearmint , and apple mint can reach 3 feet gamy under ideal experimental condition , with substantial stems and sweet-smelling saw - toothed , quilted - looking leaves . The plant produce 1- to 3 - inch stiletto heel of little four - petal prime in shades of lilac , pink , or white-hot .
Spreading via underground runners visit stolons , thelow - care plantstypically die back during winter in USDA zona lower than 8 and reappear in springiness . Their hardiness varies from Zones 3 to 9 for Mentha spicata to Zones 5 to 9 for peppermint and Malus pumila mint .
Recommended Mint Varieties
Planting Mint
When moving seedling or nursery plants outdoors , alwaysharden them offfor a span of week before setting them in the ground .
When is the best time to plant mint?
Becausemint is a perennial herbaceous plant , it will withstand some frost and can be set out in early fountain . However , many germ commend look until after the last spring frost to transfer it into the garden . In either case , whengrowing herbaceous plant outside , verify that the ground has dried out enough to be crumbly rather than viscid .
Where can mint grow?
When raise mass plants , opt a positioning with light , and middling full-bodied dirt that has some bring compost and drains well . That web site can be either in full sunlight or partial shade in the North but should receive only dayspring sun followed by afternoon spectre in the South . If you are growing mint indoors in yourindoor gardeninstead , give it the equivalent of at least 5 hours of sunshine per day ( 14 hours of LED or fluorescent illumination from a grow light ) .
How do you plant mint?
Set out mint seedlings or buy plant when they are 3 to 4 inches tall .
Can you grow mint in containers?
Growing mint in pots , either above - ground ones or those that have been sunk into the ground , is a near mind to prevent the herbaceous plant ’ runners from impinge on other plants ’ space . Use clay ( or terra - cotta ) pots at least 12 inches tall or chimney flue lining for in - ground planting . The container should stick out 2 inches above the ground after being set in it .
Watering Mint Plants
Mints are not drought - tolerant plant and require at least an in of rainwater per week or its combining weight . The herbs choose soil that stay slenderly moist but not soggy . Although some mints will grow in even wetter land , they are more likely to develop fungal diseases there than they would under better mint grow term . When grow the herb in a pot , you might ask to irrigate it as often as once per day during summer .
Fertilizing Mint
If set your mint industrial plant direct into the ground , work an inch or so of compost into the soil first to lighten it and help bring home the bacon nutrition . provender mickle with awater - soluble organic fertilizer fertilizerintended for edible plants , such as 9 - 4 - 12 , once in spring and once again in other summertime following the counselling on the recording label .
As theUniversity of Connecticutnotes “ Herbs are most flavorful when arise on the lean side so do not over - fertilize them . Excess fertilizer will raise lavish green growth with little relish . ”
Pruning Mint
When starting mints indoors from seed , lead off pinching off the leaves at the tips of the seedlings ahead of time to make them branch out . Once they are engraft in the garden , if you see bud on the plants but do n’t plan to utilize your mint leaves right away , cut them back to within 1 inch of the footing just before they flower .
prevent blossom is an of import part of mint maintenance , as bloom results in inferior flavor . When grow mountain in pots , cut back any smuggler drop over the side if you do n’t want them rooting in the ground beneath those containers .
Propagating Mint Plants
Because Mentha piperita is a crossbreed , it wo n’t come on-key from seed . Therefore , if you want to disperse it , separate your plantsin natural spring or early autumn . Alternatively , root 3 - inch cuttings in a glass of water on your windowsill . get rid of their lower farewell first so that none of the foliage is beneath the surface of the water .
To sow in species mint , scatter the seeds over the aerofoil of damp seed starting mixture and compress them into the open . Then place them in a cool , brilliant localization , between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit , until they shoot in 10 days or so .
Safety Considerations
When use up in large amounts , mint can make disgorgement and looseness in dogs , cats , and horses . And , although the herbaceous plant has been read to improve digestion in some multitude , it may make pyrosis in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease .
Mint oils such as menthol and pennyroyal crude oil are highly toxic and should never be eat up . And , because even pennyroyal tea has caused deaths in infant , it ’s in all likelihood best to nullify any consumption whatsoever of that exceptional mint .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Mint works may be infected by mint rust , a fungal disease that causes a “ syphilis ” of orangish , yellow , or brown spots on the underside of the foliage as well as deform new growth . If you want to endeavor to save an septic plant , dig it up , bump off the stirred leaf and dip its roots in blistering water ( 111 degrees Fahrenheit ) for 10 minutes before cooling and replant it . Otherwise , dispose of the “ hoary ” plant to prevent the disease from spreading .
Harvesting Mint
you may garnish summertime potable with fresh slew sprig or dry out them for tea — but first you have to get them off of the industrial plant and quick to consume . Here ’s everything you want to sleep with to harvest your mature quite a little plants .
When is the best time to harvest mint?
you’re able to get harvesting mint once it is at least 3 to 4 in magniloquent but , for the most intense feel , wait until just before it blooms . “ Pick ” it in the morning of a sunny twenty-four hour period after the dew has dried but avoid pass on any of the cut herb lying in the sun .
How do you harvest mint?
Useclean prune shearsor a keen garden knife to glean the herb .
How do you store mint?
dry mint will be ready to stack away once it feel crumbly . The National Center for Home Food Preservationrecommends that you “ spot herbs in airtight container and store in a coolheaded , dry , dark area to protect color and redolence . ” dry sight generally should be used within a class after it is glean .
Looking for more plant with sweet-scented foliage ? Check out our guides on growingbasil , citronella , andlemongrass .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
Photo: istockphoto.com
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raised seam , or an in - land patch out back — and choose the right plants for your grease and region .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
