Mint is a very easy plant to grow. It’s one of my favorite plants because it’s such a fragrant herb. The plant continuously produces new leaves, which means I can have a cup of hot mint tea whenever I want to. If you’re asking yourself, “can mint be grown indoors?”, this post is for you. I’ll share methods you can use to grow mint inside your house and simple tips to keep your plant healthy.
In this Article
Mint Plants – General Info
Scientific name:
Mentha Spicata
Common name:
- Spearmint
Common Varieties Of The Mint Plant:
There are over 200 varieties of mint. Most of these plants are used for medicinal and culinary purposes. So, if you want to add an element of freshness to your salad, consider adding a few leaves of mint. They also boost the scent of potpourri and make a refreshing cup of mint tea. If you plan on keeping one of the species as an indoor plant, ensure you provide it with enough sun, water, and humidity, and plant them in well-draining soil. Here are other members of the mint family.
Peppermint
Mentha piperita
Peppermint is a natural mix of spearmint and watermint. The fresh leaves tend to have an intense mint taste, so its usually processed into oils or dried to make herbal tea.
Chocolate mint
Mentha piperita
A favorite amongst dessert lovers, this species of mint has notes of cocoa and vanilla. It’s often available in summer and it can be used in drinks that call for hints of cocoa and mint.
Horse-mint
Mentha longifolia
Commonly known as Bible or Bush mint, this plant is native to Africa, Europe, and Asia. It has large coarse leaves, hence the name.
Apple/ Pineapple Mint
Mentha suaveolens
Native to southern and western Europe, this plant can be identified by its green, creamy leaves with white margins. During some growing seasons, the entire leaves may turn completely white, creating an aesthetically appealing plant.
Water Mint
Mentha aquatic
As the name suggests, this plant thrives in bodies of water. It’s native to Europe, northwest Africa, and Southeast Asia. It serves as a habitat for animals and controls erosion, and it’s great for attracting bees and butterflies.
Optimal Hardiness Zones
Hardiness Zone 3-9
Best Growing Location
Mint does well in an area with both full sun and partial shade. It’s not a needy plant and does well in winter. You can expect the plant to die off during winter, but it’ll quickly come back in spring. I’ve also had some leaves grow during winter, which was great because I had a constant supply of fresh mint leaves.
Conditions Required to Successfully Grow Mint Inside Your Home
These are the optimum conditions for the best growth. But since Mint is fairly easy to grow, a slight variation in these conditions should be okay.
Soil
Ensure you have good draining soil when growing mint. I use a potting mix with added fertilizer, bark, and coco peat because they provide the necessary nutrients the plant needs to thrive. It’s also porous enough for drainage.
Watering
Any person growing mint will tell you that mint loves wet feet, which is why it grows well in water. Although the plant does tolerate dry soil, I prefer to keep the soil moist. Adequate moisture has continuously produced vibrant green leaves I know and love from the mint. To water your plant, simply remove the container from its spot, and pour water until it flows from under the pot. Allow the water to drain completely, then put it back in its place.
Light
Mint grows beautifully in both full sun and partial shade. If you’re growing an indoor plant , it’s best to place it on a windowsill where it will receive indirect sunlight. It’s typically not a needy plant. The ideal temperatures for growing the plant indoors are between 65°F-70°F (18°C-21°C).
Humidity
You can maximize humidity by misting the leaves with water so that the plant absorbs water from the leaves to the stem and roots.
Fertilization
The type of potting soil I’ve always used is one with fertilizer added to the mix. I’ve found it’s a convenient way of controlling the amount of fertilizer I feed my plants, which creates a beautiful balance of the nutrients needed for the plant. But, if you don’t have potting soil with added fertilizer, you can feed the plant with a liquid fertilizer once in spring.
Now that we’ve established the requirements the plant needs for healthy growth, let’s look at the three ways you can start growing your mint plants.
Ways to Grow/Propagate Mint Indoors
Mint is an easy plant to grow indoors. There are 2 common (and simple) ways to grow them:
- In soil
- Root division
- Stem cutting
- In water
Because mint is a relatively easy-to-grow plant, one of the methods below is guaranteed to produce an abundance of mint leaves.
Growing Mint in Soil
When growing mint in the soil, you can do so from root division or stem cutting. You’ll need:
- Potting soil mix
- Plant pot
- Water
From root division
- For this method, you can use an existing mint plant growing in your garden. Gently separate each plant at the roots.
- Remove any lower leaves. New roots will start growing from these nodes.
- Fill the pot with soil halfway through.
- Place the plant inside the pot and then cover it with soil, leaving about a quarter of the pot uncovered.
- Water generously until water flows out of the pot.
- Place it on the windowsill, and check every 4 days if the soil is dry.
- If the soil feels dry to the touch, remove it from the windowsill, and water until the water drains completely. Then put it back on the windowsill.
From stem cutting
If the only access to mint you have is store-bought mint, you can utilize this method for growing the plant.
- Take a stem cutting and remove the lower leaves.
- Dip the stem in a rooting hormone to speed up root development. (Optional)
- Fill the pot with soil halfway through.
- Place the cutting inside and then cover it with soil, leaving about a quarter of the pot uncovered.
- Water generously until water flows out of the pot.
- Place it on the windowsill, and check every 4 days if the soil is dry.
- If the soil feels dry to the touch, remove it from the windowsill and water the plant until the water drains completely. Then put it back on the windowsill.
Growing Mint in Water
This method works well for both stem cutting and plants grown from root division.
- Fill a glass or plastic container with water.
- Place the cutting or plant inside the jar.
- Place it on the windowsill.
- Change the water every 4 days or when the water starts turning brown.
- You should expect root growth within 7-14 days from a stem cutting.
Indoor Mint Plant Care
If you’re growing your plant in soil, ensure you check for dryness every 4 days. If dry, water the plant as mentioned earlier in this post. When growing mint in water, change the water every 4 days. Because the plant is a happy grower, you may notice the leaves overgrowing on the side of the pot. This means it’s time to prune or repot your plant to control the direction of its growth.
How to Prune Mint Plant
Take pruning shears and cut off the leaves extending beyond the pot. Or, if you want to keep the leaves growing, you can repot the plant.
Repotting an Indoor Mint Plant
To repot your plant, you’ll need:
- A bigger pot than the current one housing your plant.
- Potting soil mix
- Water
Method:
- Fill your new pot with potting soil halfway through.
- Gently remove the plant from its current container and gently loosen the roots so they can access the soil in their new home.
- Place the plant in the soil and cover it with soil all around.
- Water thoroughly, allow the water to drain, and place it in a sunny spot like your windowsill or table next to a window.
Harvesting Mint
The best time to harvest mint is Spring to early Autumn. During this time, the leaves are actively growing, so you can expect to pick them at their freshest. To harvest, simply pinch or cut off the leaves you want to use, and allow the rest of the plant to develop new leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any other questions or feedback, please drop them in the comment section below
How do you keep mint plants alive indoors?
To keep your plants alive and healthy indoors, you should provide the plant with adequate light. You can place your plant on a windowsill or a table next to a window. If you can’t provide natural light for your plant, consider setting up artificial lighting and putting the plant under the lights. These plants are also heavy drinkers, but you should find a balance between over and under-watering. To be on the safe side, check the moisture level of your soil every 4 days. When the soil feels dry when you touch it, it’s time to water your plant.
How long does an indoor mint plant live?
Mint is a hardy plant that grows back every spring. If you take care of it well, you can expect your plant to live for 5 years or more. I’ve had my mint plant for five years, and it’s still going strong.
How often should I water my indoor mint plants?
You should water your indoor mint plant often. Aim to consistently water your plant every 4 days so that it does experience under watering or over watering. Both over and under-watering can lead to the leaves wilting and turning pale green, yellow, or brown.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on introducing indoor plants in your home, consider getting a mint plant. This easy-to-grow plant will add a refreshing fragrance to your home, and you’ll always have an abundance of fresh herbal leaves to add to your drinking water or freshly made salad. Growing and caring for the plant requires minimal effort from your side. All you have to do is ensure you place it in an area with enough light, give it enough water, and repot and prune as needed.
Thinking of growing mint and have a few questions you want to ask, or just want to share other techniques of growing mint inside your house? Leave them in the comments section below; we’ll be sure to check them out and respond!
