Growing mint in pots is an easy project you or your kids can try. Caring for and growing mint is a fun and rewarding experience, and you’ll have plenty of leaves to garnish salads and dishes as needed.
Here’s a short guide on how to grow mint in containers.
Does Mint Grow Well in Pots?
Mint, in all its variety, are quick-growing plants that spread with little to no effort. Peppermint, spearmint, Indian mint and sweet mint are pretty much the same in terms of requirements, e.g., light, watering, and space, so if you are growing any of them then you don’t have to do anything different.
Mint takes to pots particularly well, and although it thrives in areas that get four to six hours of sunlight, the plant can also grow in partial shade or even just a brightly-lit room. You can have mint as a houseplant, sitting on a sunny windowsill or a patio outside the kitchen for easy access.
To be able to start growing mint in pots you’ll need the right size container, a quality potting mix, and an area that gets partial sunlight. From there, it is just a matter of keeping your mint plant hydrated so it produces lots and lots of leaves.
Do Mint Plants Need Big Pots?
In general, all types of mint can grow in any pot or container that has a reasonable size.
However, if you want a healthy and thriving specimen then it is recommended that you get a pot that measures anywhere between 8 to 12 inches in diameter and depth. Mint likes to have plenty of room to grow, and it does that quickly as long as the conditions are right.
You can actually start your mint in smaller pots of 4 to 6 inches, but then after just a few weeks, you’ll find that the plant has outgrown the container.
To save yourself the trouble, get them to a bigger pot right from the start and watch as the mint covers the space nicely. Potted mints that are in eight to twelve-inch containers won’t need to be repotted if you’re growing them as houseplants.
How to Grow and Care for Mint in Pots
To grow mint in pots, you will need seedlings, nutrient-rich and well-draining soil, and a container that measures 8 to 12 inches in diameter.
A single seedling should be enough for one container. Fill the pot with high-quality potting soil and amend it with aged compost or something similar. Then, plant the mint and water them to reduce shock. After a few days, you should see some progress in growth, with new stems and leaves forming at the top.
Next, you’ll need to find a spot that gets around 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. This could be on a sunny, south-facing window, or your deck or patio. Keep in mind that mint is quite adaptable, so if you’re not able to give the plant sun then you can settle for partial shade or shade.
Mint typically likes a moist medium, but its roots do not like getting waterlogged. Therefore, your potting mix should be well-draining, and the pot should have several drainage holes at the bottom.
You can also go the extra mile and make the soil looser by amending it with aged compost or sand. With this setup, you won’t have to worry about overwatering since excess water will come out of the pot.
The plant grows quickly enough without any help, but if you want you can feed with a well-balanced fertilizer that’s diluted to around half-strength. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions and half the dosage to get more leaves and a bushy appearance.
Mint typically likes warmth but is susceptible to frost and cold damage. You can overwinter your potted mint plants indoors when the weather gets cold to protect them from the elements. Lessen watering and allow the soil to dry out during this time.
Mint will start to pick up once spring comes around and when temperatures rise.
Pruning and pinching the tips can be done to encourage lateral growth and to make the plant bushier. You can also take mint cuttings of around 3 to 4 inches in length to propagate them and make a new mint plant.