How to prune indoor mint plants
Regular “haircuts” are necessary to keep your mint plant bushy and to encourage new growth. Use a pair of herb scissors or needle-nose pruners to trim the stems back on a regular basis, ideally once every few weeks. Make the cut just above a set of leaves and two new stems will develop from the leaf nodes, causing each stem to branch in two. Use the trimmings in the kitchen.
Three ways to grow mint indoors
There are three primary ways to grow mint as a houseplant. Let’s discuss each option in turn.
1. How to grow mint indoors – in soil
This is the most familiar way to grow mint inside. Choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches in diameter and has a drainage hole in the bottom. I like decorative ceramic pots, but plastic works too. Avoid clay pots because they dry out too quickly. Use a high-quality, general potting soil to pot your mint plant, making sure to leave about a half inch of head space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot. This acts as a reservoir and keeps irrigation water from running off too quickly. Potted mint plants can live for years as houseplants.
2. How to grow mint indoors – in water
Mint can also be grown indoors in water. The main benefit of this method is the lack of soil. No mess, no watering, and never any fungus gnats. However, mint doesn’t live forever in water. Eventually the leaves will yellow and the plant will stop growing. However, keeping a few water-rooted stems in a jar above the sink means you’ll be able to make the occasional harvest. To start growing mint indoors in water, simply take some stem cuttings from a mother plant, remove all the lower leaves, and prop the stems in a glass of water. Change the water and wash the glass every five to seven days. They will quickly develop roots and can be grown in the water-filled jar for a few weeks or months, depending on the growing conditions.
3. How to grow mint indoors – hydroponically
It’s also possible to learn how to grow mind indoors by using hydroponics. In fact, mint is a great crop to grow using a commercially made or a DIY hydroponic system. The lack of soil definitely translates to less mess, but hydroponic systems are more expensive than soil-based growing. The nutrient solutions are more costly than traditional fertilizers, too. However, if you plan to grow a lot of mint, hydroponics is worth researching. For some excellent inexpensive DIY hydroponic options and more info on this growing method, I recommend the book DIY Hydroponic Gardens by Tyler Baras.
Best types of mint for indoor growing
You can grow any type of mint indoors. Try peppermint (Mentha x piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), pineapple mint (M. suaveolens ‘Variegata’), chocolate mint (M. x piperita ‘Chocolate Mint’), and apple mint (M. suaveolens). Each offers its own flavor in addition to making a unique-looking houseplant. I love the variegated leaves of pineapple mint!
Harvesting mint indoors
To harvest your indoor mint plants, remove individual leaves as needed, or clip off entire stems for drying or fresh use. Don’t be afraid to cut the plant back substantially a few times a year. This encourages the production of flavorful new growth and encourages a bushy growth habit. I typically cut my plants back all the way to the soil in the mid-spring. This forces the production of all new deep green and flavorful leaves a few weeks later. It rejuvenates the plant just before its period of most active growth.
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