Basic care for growing mint indoors
- Keep the growing substrate/soil moist.
- Rotate plants in your herb garden every few days to prevent them from bending towards the light.
- Avoid fertilizing plants.
- Pinch or prune plants regularly to keep them from getting leggy.
Does spearmint grow well indoors?
You can grow any type of mint indoors. Try peppermint (Mentha x piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), pineapple mint (M. suaveolens ‘Variegata’), chocolate mint (M.
How often do you water a spearmint plant?
twice a week
Water mint plants twice a week with a thorough watering so that excess water trickles from the base of the pot or container. Mint plants require the soil to be evenly moist but not saturated to prevent wilting and avoid root rot. If the top inch of the soil feels dry, give your mint plants a good soak.
Does spearmint need sun or shade?
Mints prefer full sun to partial shade. Spearmint can also be grown indoors under a grow light or on a bright windowsill.
How long does spearmint plant last?
5-10 years
Mint is a perennial plant, meaning it can grow and endure for many years. It often goes dormant or dies back in the winter in most places before sprouting from the ground in the spring. When mint is planted in the ground, it has a lifespan of 5-10 years. Potted mint plants can also live for more than 5 years.
Do mint plants attract bugs?
The pungent nature of mint deters bugs from making your home their home. Pests like ants, mosquitos, and mice will avoid mint plants whenever possible, and it can also help with other menaces like roaches, spiders, and flies.
How do you know if mint needs water?
Generally speaking, the best way to determine how often to water your mint plant is to check the top half-inch of soil for dampness. As a rule of thumb, if it’s dried out, give the mint plant some water. If it’s still damp or moist in the top half-inch, then no need to water the mint plant.
How much sun does a spearmint plant need?
full sun
Mint grows best in full sun to partial shade, should be planted early in the growing season and is generally hardy to -20° F. Mint prefers moist soil conditions, but excess water will promote root and leaf diseases.
What is spearmint plants good for?
Spearmint is a delicious, minty herb that may have beneficial effects on your health. It’s high in antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that may help balance hormones, lower blood sugar and improve digestion. It may even reduce stress and improve memory.
Do you pick mint leaves from the top or bottom?
So, make sure you pick the smaller leaves on the top first. Doing so will not only help you enjoy more flavorful leaves, but it will also encourage new growth. With regular pruning, your mint plants will grow bushier and produce more flavorful foliage.
What bugs does spearmint repel?
Spearmint and peppermint are often noted for their ability to repel flies, fleas, and spiders in the garden. One thing to keep in mind when planting mint is that it is an invasive plant and will spread quickly.
How do you pick mint leaves so it keeps growing?
Harvest mint leaves at any size by pinching off stems. For a large harvest, wait until just before the plant blooms, when the flavour is most intense, then cut the whole plant to just above the first or second set of leaves. In the process, you will remove the yellowing lower leaves and promote bushier growth.
How big do spearmint plants get?
Spearmint resembles peppermint, though spearmint plants have bright green leaves that are pointed, and lavender flower spikes that grow up to 4 inches (10 cm.) long. When planted in ideal conditions, spearmint will reach a mature height and width of 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.).
What do you do with potted mints in the winter?
To overwinter mint, you must move the potted plants indoors. Cut outdoor mint plants back to the ground and apply mulch or leaves. Keeping your mint plants alive during winter is straightforward since you can’t easily harm and kill this herb.
How do you make mint grow bushy?
For bushier, healthier mint, pinch off the top two sets of leaves regularly. Don’t be afraid to cut leggy mint plants to the ground, as shown at left. They’ll quickly send up new shoots full of fragrant leaves.
What is the difference between mint and spearmint plants?
1. Menthol: Both spearmint and peppermint contain menthol, but spearmint has 0.5 percent menthol while peppermint has forty percent menthol, giving peppermint its signature numbing flavor. 2. Taste: Spearmint has a subtler, lighter flavor, vaguely sweet flavor.
Will spearmint keep spiders away?
Mint And Use For Detering Insects
All types of mint, including spearmint and pennyroyal, effectively keep spiders away. You have already guessed why mint is so effective — it has a pleasant fragrance.
Does spearmint keep mosquitoes away?
Spearmint and peppermint are reputed to work well against insects like mosquitoes, flies, and spiders, making them ideal for the backyard garden.
Will mint leaves regrow after cutting?
Growing mint from cuttings is super easy. In the right environment, it only takes a few days for the cuttings to start to develop roots of their own. Mint will grow roots out of the leaf nodes on the stems, and can be rooted in soil or water.
Should mint be cut back?
For the best flavour, keep cutting mint to stimulate new leafy growth. After flowering is over in late summer, cut back plants to just above soil level and feed with a high-nitrogen fertiliser to encourage a fresh flush of leaves for autumn picking.
Why are the leaves on my mint plant turning brown?
Your mint leaves may be turning brow because they have received too much water. They may also turn brown if infested with pests like aphids, cutworms, or thrips that suck the sap from them. It could also happen if the plant has outgrown its container.