HEADS UP
Mint is super invasive!
It loves to spread…aggressively. When planted in the ground, even the smallest mint plant can easily take over your garden.
Always aim to grow mint in its own pot. This thing must be contained!
Pretty Chill
Partial to Full Sunlight
Keep Soil Moist
Not Pet Safe
PARTIAL TO FULL SUN
☁︎ Needs some shade ☁︎
Mint loves soaking up the sun, but its leaves can burn in hotter climates. Aim for bright morning sun, and some shade in the afternoon.
4-6 HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY
Although it can survive in dimmer areas, it will not thrive. If you start to notice leggy stems, it may be time to relocate.
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
EAST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
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KEEP SOIL MOIST
Mint is a total damp soil lover! The key is to make sure is remains moist, and not soggy. Allow the top inch to dry before you water.
Mint can typically dry out or wilt fast, so you may find yourself watering daily.
MODERATE TO HIGH HUMIDITY
Indoor humidity levels are just fine for mint. However, to create its ideal environment, consider using a humidifier or pebble tray for a boost!
SOIL
MINT DIGS A RICH AND WELL-DRAINING MIX
When choosing a potting mix for this herb, look for mixes that include:
PERLITE
PERLITE
Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
COCO COIR
Looks like fluffy, light brown fibers like shredded coconut husk (what it's made from). Helps hold moisture without making the soil too wet.
HARVESTING
ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS
You can start harvesting mint when it is about 4 to 6 inches tall.
It is important to trim mint regularly, even if you don’t need to use it right away. This keeps the plant full and bushy. You can always freeze it, dry it or throw into your water if you want to minimize waste.
IDENTIFY THE PRUNING SPOT
To find the perfect cutting spot: follow the stem down to where it meets a pair of leaves.
Snip just above the pair of leaves, this will encourage new growth! Mint typically sends out two new stems from that cutting spot.
Make sure to leave some growth behind so the herb has energy to bounce back.
REMOVE FLOWER BUDS
Harsh heat + dry conditions = bolting mint.
Snip away flowers and flowering stems to redirect energy to mint leaves. You can leave the flowers for pollinators, but you may notice a weakened mint flavor.
COMMON ISSUES
LEGGY / LEANING
A definite sign of not enough sunlight.
If you notice mint looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.
Also, make sure to regularly prune! This encourages fuller, bushier growth.
YELLOW / MUSHY
Buckle up! This could mean anything.
⊹ SOIL CHECK ⊹
Soggy: Likely overwatered or poor drainage. Ensure your pot has drainage holes. Allow soil to dry out a bit.
Bone dry + in full sun: Needs a drink. Water thoroughly until water drains from bottom. Give it some shade to recover from possible heat stress.
⊹ STRESS ⊹
Temperature changes or repotting can also cause “droopy leaf” stress. Keep its conditions stable and give it time to adjust!
MINT INVASION
Is mint invading your entire garden? The only way out of this one is to dig!
Dig deep and wide - the roots spread down AND sideways. You need to make sure to get every piece of mint root. If even one is left behind, it can grow back.
Sift through the dirt and repeat.
Water the area and check back for new mint sprouts. Pull those out too if you are desperate to eradicate your mint invasion.
To avoid this altogether, keep your mint herb contained in a pot!
WOODY GROWTH
Usually a sign of going unpruned for too long.
Mint naturally gets woody at the base over time, but if you’ve gone long periods of not pruning, it can get abnormally woody.
This can lead to slower regrowth, fewer fresh leaves and a weakened plant overall.
Make sure to prune regularly. And if it is already woody, you’ll need to trim it down quite a bit. Leave about 2 to 3 inches of growth. Fresh, green stems should emerge after a hard prune.
BROWN EDGES
Often due to underwatering or heat stress.
Remember, mint is a bit needy when it comes to water. It wants to stay consistently moist, especially in hotter weather.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
Aphids
Spider Mites
