If insects become problematic, apply an insecticidal soap such as this one from Safer Brand, available through Home Depot. In autumn, cut stems back to the ground and cover with a two-inch layer of mulch if your winters are harsh. Mentha plants will tolerate a light frost, but the top growth will eventually die back in winter. Mulch pots and in-ground plants with a two-inch layer of straw to retain moisture and keep weeds in check. Mint can make a useful ground cover and some varieties will tolerate a little foot traffic. Turn pots in the ground every 14 to 28 days to stop the roots from spreading through the drainage holes.Īlternatively, plant directly into the ground in an area where you don’t mind it spreading.Ĭonsider burying some metal flashing or landscape edging to sink eight inches deep around the plant to prevent it from taking over. Improve the soil with equal parts aged compost or other rich organic matter and landscape sand to improve drainage.Įnsure pots have plenty of material covering the drainage holes such as coconut coir, pebbles, or broken pottery to prevent the roots from sitting in water. This helps to prevent runners from escaping into fertile soil and establishing new plants. Sink the containers into garden beds, leaving the top two inches of the rim above ground. Use large containers measuring eight to 24 inches in diameter and with a similar depth. In the garden, space plants 12 to 24 inches apart in containers to keep growth in check. Plants are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. Mint is a vigorous grower that likes organically-rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. After plants are established, transplant into the garden in their permanent locations. Keep the pots in a sheltered spot for four to six weeks, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Once a strong root system has formed, pot up the stems into containers six to eight inches deep and wide, filled with sterile, well-draining potting soil.įirm the soil around the stems and water gently. The roots will start to form in 10 to 14 days and cuttings can be planted out in three to four weeks. Place stems in a small glass of water, and set in a light, airy windowsill until healthy roots have formed. Longer stems are preferable because roots sprout from the leaf nodes – more leaf nodes from long stems means more roots and a strong plant. Cut the stem just below a set of leaf nodes to prevent it from curling in water. Using a hand saw or garden shears, cut the root ball into quarters.Ĭut off four- to six-inch pieces, removing the lower three or four sets of leaves. By Root DivisionĪutumn is the ideal time to take root cuttings, but early spring works as well.Ĭhoose a rootbound container plant and gently remove the root ball from the pot. If you want to try growing it from seed, we have more tips here. I have an unintentional patch of minty oregano from this cross-pollination trait – it’s very tasty in icy drinks!Ĭommercial growers propagate vegetatively, and root division or stem cuttings give the best results for home gardeners. Mentha seed is tiny – at approximately 14,000 seeds per gram – and difficult to germinate.Īnd, being an avid cross breeder, seeds produce variable results – often with a different taste and appearance than that of the parent plants. Today, Mentha is an important commercial crop in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with the oils used primarily to flavor candy, chewing gum, cough drops, mouthwash, and toothpaste. The name originates from a Greek myth about a river nymph and means “having a sweet smell.”Ī versatile herb, it has been cultivated for cooking and medicinal use throughout history.Īlthough mint grows wild in North America, root stock was introduced by English settlers, and by the 1790s crops for distillation of the essential oil were commercially grown in Massachusetts. Carlsen, et al, published in the BMC Nutrition Journal, Mentha is high in antioxidants, and has long been recognized for its aromatic, medicinal, and therapeutic properties. It’s also widely used in candies, teas, and toiletries – as well as aromatherapy and herbal remedies.Īccording to an article by Monica H. They come in all shades of green – with some variegated types as well.įast growing, plants send out runners (stolons) above and below ground to quickly establish large, lush colonies.įor this reason, they need to be contained when planting, if you don’t want them to take over – or only planted in areas where you don’t mind them spreading freely.įragrant and deliciously cooling, mint is a popular beverage and kitchen herb. Leaves have a serrated edge and can have either a smooth or fuzzy texture.
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