How to Plant Mint In A Smart Way

Ever wondered how you can elevate your meals with fresh flavor? Mint might just be the answer you’re looking for!

This herb adds a delightful twist to your dishes. It is beneficial for health and easy to grow in your backyard.

So do you know how to plant mint in a smart way? Keep reading to discover our guide for growing this aromatic herb at home.

 

What is Mint?

Mint, scientifically known as Mentha, belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It includes a lot of aromatic herbs, with an estimated 13 to 24 species.

Some well-known species of mint are peppermint, apple mint, spearmint, orange mint,…

This herb lives in moist environments. It features erect, square, and branched stems with wide-spreading underground and overground stolons.

It typically grows between 10 and 120 cm tall. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs with a serrated margin. They vary in shape from oblong to lanceolate.

Leaf colors span from dark green to gray-green, purple, blue, and occasionally pale yellow. These give a refreshing taste, making many addicted.

What is Mint?
What is Mint?

 

Benefits of Mint

Mint is rich in nutrition. 100 g of mint contains Vitamin C (13.3 mg), Energy (44 kcal), Carbohydrates (8.41 g), Protein (3.29 g),…

Mint is also good for health. In a 2019 review, researchers affirmed mint oil can treat various gastrointestinal issues like indigestion, IBS, stomach pain in children, and post-surgery nausea.

In addition, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), peppermint oil can ease skin irritation and redness.

Another study in the journal Food Chemistry suggests that mint extract has high levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids and great antioxidant activity.

Traditionally, mint has been used to treat various ailments including sore throat, bad breath, the common cold, diarrhea, and headaches.

Besides, mint is important in other diseases such as digestion health, asthma, allergy, and depression,…

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Benefits of Mint
Benefits of Mint

 

Propagation

Min can propagate from cuttings. Choose a healthy stem measuring 4 to 6 inches long during late spring or early summer.

Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem and place them in a glass of water. Ensure the plants receive bright and indirect sunlight.

Change the water every few days. Then, transfer the cutting to the soil once the roots are a few inches long.

Roots typically form within a couple of weeks. After that, you can transplant mints into your garden.

Propagation
Propagation

 

How to Plant and Care for Mint

How to Plant Mint In A Smart Way

1. Preparation

Planting Site

Choose containers indoors or outdoors, or directly planted in your garden.

Time

Plant mint outdoors in spring after the last frost.

In zones 3 and 4, plant in early to mid-May. Zones 5 to 7 are suitable for April planting.

For zones 8 and 9, late February to early March is ideal, while zones 10 and above allow planting at any time.

Mints

After propagating, choose mints with roots.

2. How to plant mint

Plant mint cuttings 18 inches to 2 feet apart outdoors because they grow fast.

Lay the plant with 1 to 2 inches of soil on top.

To prevent spreading, add edging around the area or grow in a container.

Tips: To boost productivity, grow mint with onion, cabbage, or broccoli.

How to plant mint
How to plant mint

 

How to Care for Mint

Light

Mint plants live in partial shade, but they can tolerate full sun with regular watering. However, you should shield them from afternoon sunlight.

While mint can survive in shady areas, it may become leggy and produce fewer leaves with less flavor.

Soil

Mint grows in rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

Make sure the moisture soil but not waterlogged soil.

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Water

Watering mint regularly is essential, especially during the dry season.

Check the top inch of soil for dryness and add water accordingly. It’s better to water 1-2 days at a time.

Morning is a suitable time for mint plants to absorb moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Mint’s temperature resilience varies by species. Peppermint thrives in cooler climates like USDA Zone 3, while spearmint prefers warmer zones like USDA Zone 11.

This plant loves high humidity. To raise the humidity, mist the plant between waterings or place its container on a tray of water-filled pebbles.

Fertilizer

Use organic fertilizer to add nutrition to mint plants.

For nutrient-poor soil, feed mint plants every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.

Start in spring when plants emerge and follow label instructions for mixing.

Pollination

To prevent hybridization, grow different mint species in separate containers or gardens.

Besides, encourage cross-pollination by planting two species together for seeds with combined traits.

How to Care for Mint
How to Care for Mint

 

Common Problems

Mint is typically not influenced by pests and diseases.

However, some plants may attract garden pests like whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs.

To prevent these pests, use fungicides and ensure drying between waterings.

Common Problems
Common Problems

 

Harvest

After 1 – 2 months, harvest mint leaves when the plant has multiple stems.

Opt for summer or fall for harvesting before the shoots decline. Remember not to harvest more than a third of the plant at once to avoid weakening it.

To promote fresh growth, snip sprigs and leaves regularly. Mid-season, consider shearing back one-third to one-half of the plant to encourage new foliage.

Enjoy your freshly harvested mint in various recipes, drinks, salads, and more.

Harvest
Harvest

 

Preservation

1. Freezing Mints

Rinse and pat dry mint leaves. Chop leaves and distribute them in an ice cube tray.

Fill with water and freeze overnight. Then transfer the cubes to a container or zip-top bag for storage in the freezer.

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Keep frozen cubes for up to six months. It is suitable for use in sauces and drinks.

2. Paper Towel and Plastic Bag

Rinse and pat dry mint leaves. Wrap leaves in moistened paper towels and place them in a zip-top bag.

Store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for at least three weeks.

3. In the Refrigerator

Fill a glass with water. Trim the ends of mint stems and place them in the water.

Store in the refrigerator without changing the water. This method maintains freshness for about three weeks.

Preservation
Preservation

This post has guided you on how to plant mint in a smart way, so you can enjoy this herb at home. Join us to learn more about other garden guides and tips to elevate your gardening experience.

How to Plant Mint In A Smart Way
How to Plant Mint In A Smart Way

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