Mint (Mentha spp.) is AN aromatic, perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae family.
A vigorous sodbuster and spreader, mint has enjoyed an extended history of use in culinary art, ancient medication, and aromatherapy.
Its name springs from a story in classical mythology. Minthe was a fine looking and lonely water nymph WHO fell smitten with Hades, the god of the dead and king of the underworld. once his better half, Queen Cora, discovered their affair, she remodeled Minthe into a mint plant in revenge.
Found thriving next to lakes, rivers, and different fresh sources on each continent, mint prefers a cool, moist, and part shaded spot within the garden. however as a result of mint is thus extremely pliable, it’ll grow well in much any setting.
Mint is hardy in Department of Agriculture zones five through nine, overwintering in temperatures as low as -20°F. however once you don’t wish to forgo a recent supply of mint through the winter, it’s straightforward enough to bring mint inside.
And since mint is such a flexible herb, it’s well value a spot on a sunny sill.
About the Mint Plant…
Native to temperate areas in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the asterid dicot genus genus includes around twenty five species of mint.
Although every selection has its own distinctive characteristics, normally mint plants possess erect, branching sq. stems with opposing pairs of leaves in shapes starting from rectangular to oval to spear tipped.
Most often the foliage is roofed in small hairs with a serrate edge. the colour of the foliage is also dark inexperienced, grey inexperienced, purple, blue, or straw, betting on the vascular plant.
Mint plants square measure quick growing and might unfold quickly within the garden, self propagating with horizontal runners and underground rhizomes.
When left to their own devices, they will simply reach a height of two to three feet in a very single season.
Because mint roots grow terribly about to the surface of the soil, they’re glorious specimens for instrumentation gardens. opt for long and shallow pots to require advantage of its spreading growth habit.
Mint Varieties:
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
The most common type of mint, once you see plants labeled as ‘mint’, they’re presumably Mentha spicata.
Because it contains less lotion than peppermint, Mentha spicata is best utilized in savory culinary art and sauces, similarly as in cold drinks, cocktails, and teas.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
A cross between Mentha spicata and water mint, peppermint has been used for thousands of years as AN flavouring medication.
With a pointy ANd recent style followed by an icy cool sensation, peppermint is a superb addition to chocolatey desserts, ice cream, teas, and potpourris.
Lavender Mint (Mentha piperita ‘Lavendula’)
With floral overtones, lavender mint leaves square measure marvellous recent in teas, or dried for potpourris and home-brewed soaps, lotions, lip balms, and shampoos.
Mint Growing Conditions
Mint is a simple enough plant to worry for, inside and out.
When cultivating this herb within, there square measure many stuff you should detain mind in order that your mint plant is happy and productive.
Light necessities
Although mint will tolerate partial shade outdoors, in an interior setting mint can would like a decent provide of daylight to grow well.
Choose a sunny spot that receives a minimum of four hours of direct daylight per day.
Soil
Mint grows best in lighter soil with a pH scale of vi to seven. It ought to additionally drain well whereas still retentive wetness.
You can purchase organic seed beginning mixes (like this bag by Burpee Organics) or build your own by commixture sphagnum moss, perlite, and sand in equal elements.
Water
Mint loves the water thus it’s vital to stay the soil dampish, however not too wet.
Choose a pot with emptying holes to stop waterlogging and add a skinny layer of mulch on the surface of the soil to cut back state change water loss.
Fertilizer
Like different herbs, mint shouldn’t would like abundant fertilization. In fact, fertilizing too usually will result in less tasty foliage. If you’re thinking that your mint plant wants a lift, use a really dilute compost tea or fish emulsion.
If you make it, flush out accumulated plant food and salts by running plain water through the soil for many minutes.
How to Grow Mint inside
From Cutting…
The simplest thanks to propagate a mint plant for indoor growing is to require some cuttings from AN existing plant.
Choose mint sprigs that square measure many inches long with new growth at the tip. Cut just under the angle, wherever the branching nodes meet the stem.
Place cuttings in a very glass of water and set it in a very spot that receives indirect daylight. Roots can emerge in concerning period.
From Seed…
Growing mint from seeds is tougher than cuttings or division, however it will be done. In general, mint contains a low germination rate and hybrids square measure abundant less seemingly to grow faithful sort.
To increase the probabilities of success, attempt to stick with easy varieties, like Mentha spicata.
Sow seeds over a soilless combine, ¼ in. deep. Mist the soil with a twig bottle and set it in a very sunny location. Keep the soil equally dampish by giving it a spritz or 2 every day.
After many weeks, the seeds ought to sprout however are going to be quite fragile. beware once watering and permit seedlings to become well established before transplantation into another pot.
How to Harvest Mint
You can begin gather from your mint plant as before long because it is concerning four inches tall. Frequent pruning additionally helps keep the plant productive and provides it a fuller, bushier form.
Younger growth is additional tasteful than older, woody sprigs. Cut lengths of mint as you would like them, going one in. of stem at the soil line.