Mint is one of the most common herbs used for home and personal uses. Its lovely fragrance can be enjoyed every day and it is easy to grow from a single plant. There are several different ways of planting mint and each has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on individual needs and growing conditions. In this article we will look at how to grow mint in pots, indoor growing conditions outside.
The most straightforward way of growing mint in containers is to allow the plant to take root in a small piece of sand or soil that is moistened slightly before planting in another location. The ability to invade into the open space of other plants and herbs in your garden usually minimizes the difficulty of this method. If you want to grow your Mint at ground level on the patio or deck then use the following tip for inhibiting the spreading of the leaves:
Commonly known as Chinese mint, Mentha spicata, it is also known as Wild Mallow or Dog’s Tooth. There are two types of this perennial herb with the most common being European and Asian forms. Scientific name: Mentha piperita. Common names are:
As a medicinal herb growing in small containers is popular as long as there is sufficient moisture present (the leaves drop off when the water evaporates). It is a low maintenance plant and doesn’t need a great deal of attention. To encourage blooming use low nitrogen fertilizer, which is available from garden centers. When the flowers start to swell use a weakly scented oil, such as eucalyptus or tea tree oil to discourage bacterial growth.
If you are growing the herb in pots keep a close eye on the height of the cuttings and check regularly if the cuttings are growing towards the top of the container. Make sure the main stalk grows upright and outwards towards the light as it is easier to recognize an established plant when it is tall and spreading towards the light than short and rigid. It can be hard to recognize a growing plant if it has narrow, lanky, stringy leaves or if the leaves are elliptical in shape. If the leaves are narrow that is a sign of an upcoming outbreak of bush tobacco.
Other medicinal herbs that can be grown in pots include basil, dill, lemon balm, oregano, Rosemary and thyme. In growing these and other medicinal herbs in containers you should ensure they get plenty of sunlight, moisture and fertilizer (either liquid or soil) so that they grow up to their potential. When growing mint in a pot, it’s best to provide an inch or two of water at all times and keep the pot well watered during dry periods. You don’t want the leaves drying out and losing their flavor because of too much water.
Mint will usually begin to grow in a month or two after you purchase it in a container. You can also try growing mint in a shallow dish of water inside your refrigerator for an enjoyable summer time smell. When growing it in containers, be sure to prune it regularly so that new growth is always showing through. You can pinch back any buds that show during new growth to improve the appearance of your container plants.
It’s important to make sure that you are providing your container garden with adequate amount of light, water, and nutrients (either soil or liquid) so that your plant develops to its full potential. Be sure that the soil mixture is well rotted prior to planting so that it can retain moisture and help ward off fungal growth. If growing mint in containers you should be patient as it takes a couple of years before you begin to see any obvious results, but it is worth the wait.