Can’t you get enough fresh taste of that mint? Growing Builds in the Garden is so easy, why are you free to use fresh mint to decorate food, make mojitos and add a refreshing coolness to your dishes? This is how to grow mint from seeds or as cuttings.
I love mint. Because it is one of the most accessible herbs to enjoy. People are used to the fresh flavors of toothpaste, gum and desserts. Who doesn’t like mint chocolate treats?
It is also one of the most accessible herbs to grow in your garden, starting easily with the seeds and requires little maintenance to become big and happy. It’s a little too big…but more on that later.
I have lots of little mint tips and tricks to share with you, so jump on how to grow mint!
I’ll cover this post…
Lorient’s Green Blessing
Our Garden Therapy Herbalist Leader Lorian Bird has great insights into mint. This is what she has to say:
Peppermint is found in the Lamissaiaceae family, which has 150 genera and more than 3,500 species worldwide, and conveys the flower’s message of “warmness in my heart” how women express their intentions during periods of courtship.
All mints relieve pain, relieve headaches, restore order to the digestive tract, and are an excellent source of calcium and other minerals. It helps to make tea, soak finely chopped leaves in honey, and maintain antioxidants and anti-spasmodic volatile oils.
Use externally for wound healing or homemade facials and internally for menstrual cramps, digestive confusion, colds, flu cases, and sore throats. There are no known toxicities when using fresh or dried plants, but be very careful when using essential oils.
Select the type of mint
Mint, Mentha sp. There are about 24 varieties of the Mint family, and they are located in the family Lamiidae (lemon balm, basil, cat mint, just a little!). So there’s not just one mint for you to enjoy!
There are a few of my favorite mint varieties to talk about in this post, including peppermint and pineapple mint. They all have their refreshing, cold taste, but each has a unique flavour to explore.
Some growers say it’s difficult to control cross-pollination between mints. As a result, mint may not be the case with that species. So, if you need a particular variety, try to get seeds from a reputable source.
How to grow mint from seeds
Mint is a very easy herb to grow and you can quickly harvest your first year by simply planting some seeds. Zone 4 is stiff and is perennial in most places.
If you want to get a start with mint, you can sow the seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Put them on a heat mat to help germinate and speed up.
You can also sow mint seeds in the end of spring. The seeds take 10-16 days to germinate.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep. Alias, it barely pops on the soil. I sprinkle them on the soil, gently step on it to sow it on the ground, then give it a healthy amount of water.
How to plant mint
The biggest thing you need to know about mint is that it can be quite invasive. One mint plant can take over the bed in one summer, so you need to actively control it to stop the spread.
For this reason, I always recommend that people grow mint in containers or raised beds. You can add it to your perennial herb garden and place it on a patio or deck where you can easily access and harvest mint if you want.
Mint is also an excellent companion plant and can help to fight off aphids, cabbage moth, flea beetles and more. You can place the ingredients in a container around the plant garden or place it in the vegetable garden with the knowledge that you must take your careful eyes to prevent it from spreading too.
How to grow mint from cuttings
You can also grow mint by taking cuttings. This would be great if you found the diversity of mint from friends and community gardens you want to spread.
To cut, cut from the top of the plant just above the node (where leaves come out). The cutting should be approximately 4 inches long.
Remove a small number of leaves at the bottom, as you don’t want them to sit in the water. Place the mint cut into a water jar.
Mint should begin root development within a few days. If the roots are about an inch long, transplant mint to the soil or outside.
How to grow mint indoors
The lush green mint grows quite well inside compared to other herbs. Place the mint in a bright place and place in a container with drainage holes in good potted soil.
If the mint droops from sadness, place it outdoors and start a new plant with seeds or clipping. Or rather inexpensive to replace it with a new mint in the Garden Center.
You can also bring in some mint from outside and take it indoors during the winter. Place it in a bright window for fun during the off-season.
Mint care requirements
Mint is a cool seasonal herb, so you can see it appears early in spring and thrives quickly in the garden. It is quite flexible when it comes to the sun, so it can be used in the sun or partial shades. Know that the plants are taller in the shade and have more space between the leaves.
Mint does not require much water if established. In my mild rainforest climate, I rarely give extra water. When there is a lot of heat, you may need to water it, as the sun can burn the leaves.
In early summer, the mint should already be very large. Pruning the top of the mint to promote the growth of rounded bushy. Don’t be afraid to fill up plenty as mint grows quickly.
You can harvest mint if necessary, or dry or store in large batches. Check out my complete guide to harvesting and dried mint for more information.
How to enjoy mint
There are many ways to enjoy mint after harvesting. Here are some of my favorite recipes that seek the goodness of that fresh mint.
Mojito Mint Popping Candy
Mojito Mint, Mentha x Villosa, is a Cuban mint best known for making delicious cocktails. Mint is naturally cooled, making it perfect for popsicles. I made these popsicles with lemon and honey.
Santee
Are you a big tea drinker? Santee is one of my favorite things to use herbs in the summer. Chocolate mint is especially good for Santea. Harvest the herbs in the morning, sit in the sun in a sealed jar of water, then put them in the sun, then put them in the garden while the tea is soaked.
When you’re ready to kick your feet at the end of your day working outside, have a drink that’s ready to pour and cool down on the ice.
Ginger Mint Lemonade
Mint is an ideal herb for making drinks, so sorry while I put another cooling refresh on my mint list. If you don’t like mojitos or if you want a delicious non-alcoholic drink to add some mint, pair it with ginger and lemon flavors. Trust me; it’s a must-see combo.
Herb-infused vinegar
Have you ever made herb-infused vinegar? You can put mint in the vinegar to make your own artisan vinegar blend for the salad, or even eat it in a spoonful. In addition to being used in food, it can also be used as an alcohol-free herbal extract.
Fresh herb finish salt
You can make delicious herbal finishing salts with your favorite herbs. Mint works well in sweet and tasty dishes, but when combined with mint, I love to place it on a homemade salad, sprinkle it over freshly cut tomatoes and cucumbers, or add it to a sauce poured with red meat and roasted vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mint Growth
Mint takes 10-16 days for it to germinate. Once germinated, it grows rapidly. Mint should take about two months to reach its mature size. If the mint is 4 inches tall, you can start harvesting from there. Do not take more than 1/3 of the medicine at a time, regardless of whether it is large or small.
Mint has a very active root system that spreads and grows quickly. Without actively controlling its size, it spreads out and takes over the garden bed. For this reason, I like to grow it in containers. You can fill your pot safely and quickly. And be happy there too!
You can grow mint in full sun or partial shades. If you grow it in the perfect sun, it will become more compact and supplemental watering during the heat waves may be required to prevent the leaves from burning. When grown in the shade, it has slight legs. This means that the stems are taller and there is more space between the leaves.
And it’s in the mint! If you have any more questions about mint growth, leave them in the comments below. I will do my best to get back to you.
Other tips for growing mint
With a city girl who learned to garden, it changed everything. Author, artist, master gardener. A better life through plants.
