If you are looking at How To Grow Mint Indoors, then it can be quite a rewarding experience. You can include mint in your herb garden as it is a low maintenance and easy Planting.
The varieties of mint that are generally grown are – spearmint and peppermint. For growing mint indoors, you need to be careful about choosing the right container, soil type, water and light requirements, and proper pruning techniques.
We have explained all these aspects and growing mint tips and tricks in this article. Once you are aware of the care and maintenance, you can grow mint in a pot of soil or even in a glass jar of water.
How To Grow Mint Indoors From Seed
Growing mint from cuttings is a common method used by gardeners. However, mint seeds can also be used for propagating mint indoors.
How to grow mint from seeds: Pick a potting soil mix that is suitable for indoor plants and water it thoroughly.
- Place the mint seeds on the top layer of the soil and cover them with 1/4th inch of the same potting mix.
- Make sure that the seeds are not overcrowded. Water the container until the soil is damp.
- After this, cover the container using a plastic bag to ensure proper germination. Lastly, put it on the heating pad.
- You will see that the seedlings will pop out usually after a week. Once the seedlings are visible, remove the plastic bag.
- And keep the container in a place inside the home that receives at least 7 hours of sunlight every day.
If you are planning to grow mint year-round indoors, then keep the container underneath LED Plant Grow Lights once the summer months are over.
Water the plant regularly as mint prefers moist soil. You can also prune the plant if required. Your mint plant will be ready for harvest once it is about 5 inches big.
How To Grow Mint Indoors In Water
If you are wondering how to grow mint leaves indoors in water, then we are here to help you.
- How to grow mint indoors in water: To grow mint in water, first, pick top cuttings of about 5-6 inches from an existing mint plant.
- For this first, remove the bottom cutting. Then, place the top cutting in a water-filled glass jar.
- Keep this jar in an area that receives sufficient indirect light. You will find that new leaves will develop and stay on this cutting for several days.
- Remember to change the water on alternate days. You can then shift this plant to a container filled with soil later or use all the leaves.
How To Grow Mint Indoors From Cuttings
If you know how to grow mint from cuttings, then you must know that it is a much reliable, economical, and easier method than using seeds. However, if you don’t know, we have an easy method for you to follow.
How to grow mint indoors from cuttings: Carefully make a cut right below the node on the mint plant and pick several 4-6 inch cuttings.
- Once you remove the bottom leaves from the cuttings, place them in the container with a prepared potting mix.
- Place the cuttings at least 2-inches apart from each other and bury them 1.5 inches deep in the soil.
- Gently press down the soil near the cuttings and water it carefully so as not to dislodge the newly-planted cuttings.
- Keep the container in a place inside the home that receives 6-7 hours of sunlight every day for about two weeks.
- Continue watering on a regular basis to keep the soil moist. However, ensure that soil doesn’t get too wet as well.
- The new growth will be visible after two weeks. You can harvest the plant after a month under ideal growing conditions.
How To Grow Mint In Pots
Gardeners usually grow mint at home by placing them in pots filled with ideal potting soil mix.
The mint plant is an ideal choice if you want to start your own herb garden. When growing this plant indoors, you should pick the right supplies and provide proper care so that it can thrive.
Don’t worry; mint is a low maintenance plant as mentioned earlier. The following are some tips that will help you to understand how to take care of mint plant indoors:
1- Containers
Mint is a rogue plant that grows aggressively. So, pick a wide and shallow container that has sufficient space for the plant to grow comfortably.
- A wide mint container will ensure that the new shoots of the plant develop without constricting the roots.
- For growing mint in containers, we recommend using plastic containers instead of terra cotta ones as this plant prefers the root zone moist.
- The plastic containers keep the potting mix damp and encourage better air movement.
- This keeps the soil moist and provides an ideal environment for the roots of the mint plant.
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2- Growing Media
- When growing mint in pots or containers, the growing media should be lightweight and must have good water and nutrient holding capacity.
- So, we recommend using coconut coir or potting soil with the above-mentioned characteristics to ensure the best mint plant care.
- Coconut coir is made of brown and white fiber that are present in between the shell and outer covering of a coconut seed.
- Potting soil is usually a mixture of pine bark, vermiculite, coconut coir, and perlite.
3- Location
- The mint plant requires around minimum 4 hours of direct sunlight to reach maximum growth.
- Though it can tolerate partial shade, it is advised to keep the plant in an area that receives full sun and proper air circulation.
- You can keep the pot near a window or on the balcony to provide a well-suited environment.
4- Mint Soil
The mint plant is known for its hardiness and can survive in different soil types. However, the ideal soil type to grow mint is the one that has pH level in moderation in between 6-7.
How to grow mint at home using the ideal soil: You can use sterilized soil in the pots or else you can mix sand in the soil mix to improve the drainage.
For increasing the fertility of the soil, you can add rich composts every year. But you must refrain from using excessive organic matter as it can lead to unhealthy fungal rust in the plants.
5- Water
Mint prefers moist soil. But, you should not keep the soil overly wet, especially during winters.
All you should aim for is keeping the soil mix slightly moist by watering mint plant only when required. Under-watering and overwatering must be strictly avoided.
6- Feeding
If you are growing mint indoors, then there is no need to fertilize the plant heavily.
How to care for mint plant indoors: You can occasionally feed the plant using water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer.
Adding compost or manure to mulch the top layer of the soil mix is also a good option.
7- Pruning
If you want a bushier look for your mint plant, then you should regularly pinch off the tips. This will promote the growth of new additional branches.
Pruning is recommended only for lanky and dried branches, and to keep your plant in proper shape.
8- Temperature
Mint does not like both cold air and hot or dry air. It prefers a moderate temperature indoors. The ideal mint growing indoors temperature is around 65-70 degrees F in the day and 55-60 degrees F in the night.
What Are The Different Mint Types & Varieties?
1 Peppermint
Peppermint goes by the scientific name of Mentha piperita. It is the most common variety from the mint family. Growing and caring for this variety of mint typically requires fewer efforts.
However, you can still ensure the optimum conditions for growing peppermint indoors.
How to grow peppermint indoors:
When growing peppermint indoors, pick a large container that has sufficient space for this plant to grow. Plastic pots or self-watering pots are recommended as this plant prefers moist soil at all times.
Keep it in an area that receives full sun every day, pinch off the tips regularly to promote vigorous growth, and add fertilizer when required. If you want to know how to grow peppermint from cuttings, we will discuss it later in this article.
2 Spearmint
Spearmint is known by the scientific name of Mentha spicata. It is believed to be the original mint plant. You can find its mention in the Holy Bible as well.
It is also a widely available mint variety like the peppermint. However, spearmint plants can be distinguished from the peppermint as they have pointed leaves. If you wish to grow a spearmint plant indoors, it is fairly easy.
How to grow spearmint indoors:
For growing spearmint indoors, pick a spot that receives indirect light or partial shade. Place this plant in a large pot and pinch frequently to promote growth.
Rest all other aspects of growing spearmint needs the same care and efforts as for other mint plant varieties.
Spearmint plant care: We recommend you apply a liquid fertilizer every month in the summers to enable strong growth for the plants.
3 Orange Mint
Orange Mint (scientific name – Mentha piperita citrata) has a pungent smell with the notes of bright citrus and the undertones of sweet lavender.
Orange mint plant care:
Orange mint can be grown in a container just like peppermint. It also prefers full sun, frequent watering, and regular pinching of the stems. However, if you find the stems getting weak, then you can add fertilizer.
4 Chocolate Mint
From among the different types of mint plants grown across the world, the chocolate mint is the one mostly used for flavoring desserts and bakery items.
Chocolate mint plant care indoors:
The chocolate mint prefers moist soil and is usually grown alongside water gardens or in damp spots of the garden.
This plant grows best in partial shade. You can harvest the leaves frequently and use them for making a refreshing beverage.
How To Pick Mint Leaves Without Killing Plant
You can harvest mint quite easily. Don’t worry about the plant getting killed if you harvest regularly. In fact, we recommend you to harvest it often as it prevents legginess in the plant.
How to harvest mint: The ideal time to harvest the leaves is just before the mint flowers when the aroma is at its peak. You can pick up to 2/3 of the length of the stems and take as much as you need at a time.
Benefits Of Growing Mint Indoors
The mint plant can grow aggressively in the garden. But growing and maintaining them indoors is also fairly easy.
There are multiple benefits of growing mint indoors too.
- Besides requiring very little space to grow, this plant is known for its hardiness and low maintenance. You can also protect the plant from pests while growing it indoors.
- So, you won’t have to use any insecticides or harsh chemicals. Harvest fresh mint leaves and use this herb for its endless potential uses in cooking as well as its medicinal properties.
- The mint plant is recommended for novice gardeners and it is a must-have for your herb garden inside the home.
Growing Mint Indoors In Low Light
Can you grow mint indoors in low light? – If you have low light conditions for growing mint, then you must slightly change your maintenance and care practices for the plant. Find here how to grow indoor plants in LED/ Artificial Light.
To know how to care for mint plant indoors in such conditions, follow these below-mentioned techniques:
- Reduce watering: You need to cut back the watering frequencies. Also, use less amount of water for watering your mint plant. Low sunlight will result in reduced photosynthesis which means the plants will require a lesser amount of water to function. Also, the water evaporation due to heat will be less. So, you should avoid overwatering, or else you might face the problem of root rot.
- Choose the right potting mix: To grow mint indoors in a low light environment, you should pick the potting mix that has higher levels of perlite, sand, or vermiculite. This mix will not only dry out more quickly but also enhance the drainage in the pots. You can also use shallow pots with plenty of drainage holes so that the potting mix dries quickly.
It ensures that soil would remain dry in between watering sessions. - Ensure good airflow: Place the mint plants in such a way that there is always good airflow between plants and near the pots. A good air movement will help in drying out the potting mix quickly to accommodate the lack of evaporation. Additionally, it will keep a check on insect problems and ensure the best mint plant care indoors.
How Often Do You Water Indoor Mint Plants?
Mint is usually considered to be a low maintenance plant. But it constantly needs a sufficient quantity of water.
How often should you water mint: When you are keeping your plant in an area that receives full sun, you must ensure that the soil is always moist. Water it regularly to maintain the moisture.
We recommend you to water the plant in the morning so that it can retain the moisture until the heat of the afternoon.
How Does Mint Keep Bugs Away?
By far, we are aware of multiple benefits of the mint plant. However, some common varieties of this plant such as peppermint and spearmint are also known for their insect repellent properties.
You can grow this herb indoors or in your garden to drive away insects like mosquitoes, flies, and spiders. Another variety of mint, pennyroyal mint, can help you in staying safe from ticks and fleas.
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Common Questions on How to Plant Mint Indoors Tips and Tricks
can i grow mint in water forever?
Yes mint plant can be grown in water as much as you want until the conditions are fair enough.
How Much Sun Does A Mint Plant Need?
The mint plant prefers partial to full sun with about 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. When growing it indoors, keep it in an area that receives sufficient sun exposure in the day.
Can I grow mint indoors all year?
Mint plants are not difficult to develop indoors, all year. Only one things to remember is to choose a pot with a wide surface, instead of a profound one, to hold the mint roots back from circling themselves and stifling a plant.
How Do You Keep Mint Alive Indoors?
These plants like to be kept soggy however not excessively wet. In the event that the upper piece of soil gets dry to the touch, watering is required. Something else, attempt to keep it uniformly clammy. Mugginess is another significant factor, so fog the plant between watering or set the holder on a water-filled plate of rocks.
Is Mint A Good Indoor Plant?
Mint’s productive nature makes it an incredible alternative for developing inside, controlled in holders. It requires little consideration other than keeping it watered, furnishing the cultivator with an ample all year supply of new, fragrant mint leaves.
Why is my mint plant dying?
The most common explanations behind mint not growing is the soil of: Under watering (mint requires reliably clammy soil). Root decay (boggy soil or pots without seepage can make mint become yellow and dull).
Conclusion
You must be aware by now about how to grow mint indoors. This herb has a wide range of potential uses, be it adding flavor to the iced tea or relieving an upset stomach.
The mint plants can spread uncontrollably in the garden. But, if you plant them indoors in pots, they can be managed easily.
The only care that it needs is regular watering and pinching back. So, go ahead and grow the mint plant in your home.
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My name is Olivia, staying in the United States, and I love to have plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there in my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful tips on gardening, how to grow and care for various plants, etc. Check out more.
