mint The garden has a reputation for being one of the most prolific growers. It often spreads easily taking over garden beds And entering the offensive zone. But that fast-growing habit also means it’s the perfect herb to try out your propagation skills. You can easily propagate mint by growing new plants to share with friends and family.
And, if you’re expecting someone new mint plant Without going to a nursery, finding cuttings shouldn’t be difficult.
“If you ask any gardener, chances are they have a lot of mint in their garden and they’ll be happy to share it with you,” says gardener and blogger Rain Elizabeth of Eco Friendly Homestead. Here’s how to propagate mint to grow new plants.
How to propagate mint
It’s incredibly easy to propagate mint in just a few quick steps:
- Choose mint sprigs that look green and healthy. Choose branches with vibrant green leaves, especially at the top.
- Cut the sprig from the plant using clean, sharp scissors, carefully removing the cutting just below the leaf node. This is the place where the leaves join the stem.
- Remove all the leaves from the lower third of the stem, leaving only the healthy-looking leaves at the top of the cutting.
- If you want to give your mint cuttings an extra boost, Elizabeth says, “You can add some rooting hormone to it, but this is not a necessary step.” If you choose to do this, dip the stem in rooting hormone before moving on to the next step.
- Dip the cutting in a small jar of fresh water. Make sure none of the leaves are touching the water. You may need to use a pair of popsicle sticks to lift the leaves out of the water. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill.
Elizabeth says that within a few weeks, you’ll start to see tiny root hairs forming at the base of the stem. These will grow rapidly, indicating that your mint is ready to begin its chapter as a new plant.
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How to graft rooted mint
Within a few weeks, you will notice that your mint’s root growth has reached the point where it appears viable for growing on its own.
“When the root hairs are about an inch long, you can plant your mint in a container by cutting it down to the top leaves,” says Elizabeth.
Make sure you use fresh potting soil It is moist enough. Keep the new plants in indirect sunlight for the first several weeks so they can adjust to their new home. Continue to water mints regularly so that their soil remains consistently moist.
However, Elizabeth’s biggest trick has nothing to do with enabling mint to thrive – it usually does that on its own. Rather, he has a warning to prevent your new plant from taking over your garden.
Elizabeth says, “As someone who has made the mistake of planting mint directly into my garden soil, please do not do this unless you want mint to take over your garden forever.”
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FAQ
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Propagating mint is exceptionally easy! Only one cutting is required to grow a new mint plant.
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While most mint varieties propagate easily, spearmint is a favorite of many gardeners. It takes root quickly and is a versatile herb used in the kitchen. Other popular varieties include peppermint, chocolate mint, and basil mint.
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Mint cuttings are ready to plant in soil when they have developed several roots, all at least a few inches long.
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Yes, you can grow mint from store-bought mints just as you can from mints cut from your garden. Use the same steps, and you’ll have rooted mint cuttings ready for planting in no time!
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Mint is often considered invasive in the garden, and it is best to plant mint in its own container, where it cannot spread beyond the boundaries of the planter. If it is planted with other herbicides, it can destroy those plants.