growing mint indoors from seed

To sow the seeds indoors, place them on top of the Bio Sponge in your Bio Dome, or on top of the medium in your seed flat. Don't forget to snip off flower buds as they appear so the plant will focus on leaf production! Transplant into the garden or container when they have at least 2 sets of true leaves. The key to growing mint from seed is well-draining soil that … References. Scatter seeds over a fertile soil that drains well. Last Updated: September 18, 2019 The versatile plant can be used in culinary applications, for medicinal purposes, to freshen the air or breath, keep bugs at bay, or simply to look at. This species is also known by various names like Wooly or Pineapple Mint. Mint leaves are packed with antioxidants and … You can also grow mint in containers and start indoors at any time. Also, if you want to make an Indoor Herb Garden, mint is the best herb to begin with. Plant your mint where passersby will brush the foliage, which releases its heady aroma. This fast-growing herb can grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent addition to indoor and outdoor gardens. Before planting the seeds to ensure their viability, purchase good quality seeds. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in the garden. Feel the soil and water if it starts to feel dry 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Transplanted according to the instructions provided here and my. Growing any mint in a container is a good way to enjoy the plant without worrying about it becoming invasive. The easiest way to start growing mint indoors is to take a cutting from an existing plant. They simply take a cutting of mint from an established plant, and pop it in a container of water. Family: Lamiaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Season: Cool season Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Zone: Hardy to Zone 5 Timing Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in April/May. If you'd enjoy growing mint in your home,all you need to do is acquire a mint seedling, re-pot it, and perform some routine care. Why grow mint? "Started this winter with a scraggly mint plant. Place cuttings in a glass of water and set it in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. The simplest way to propagate a mint plant for indoor growing is to take some cuttings from an existing plant. However, you can plant them from seeds when the ground has begun to warm in the spring. Mint doesn’t grow true-to-type from seed, and seed packets are often labeled common mint. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Place the container in an area where it will receive plenty of indirect sunlight and water it every 2-3 days. Cut just below the axil, where the branching nodes meet the stem. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Do not cover the seeds; they need light to germinate. Harvest sprigs from the plant as you need them all season long. This 5-gallon pot will be large enough for any amount of mint you will want to grow. Mint plants should be settled in a cozy corner or area of the house where it will not be too exposed to chilling winds or frost. Growing mint indoors is rewarding, it complements vegetables, salads, yogurt, and meat, and freshly picked leaves taste so great. Some people grow mint from cuttings. Do not plant it in an area where other plants must compete for space. Cut a 4 inch (10 cm) sprig about ½ inch (1 cm) above a junction to allow new branches to grow in its place. If you want it in the garden but without the rapid spread, set it into a container instead, and use a saucer at the base to prevent the roots from growing into the soil below. Right before flowering, cut the stems 1 inch from the ground. Spearmint is often used in baking and cooking. Both are super easy to grow, taking off like crazy to perfume home or garden all season! When cultivating this herb inside, there are a few things you must keep in mind so that your mint plant is happy and productive. Copyright 1997-2021, J&P Park Acquisitions, Inc. Indoor mint plants do not require fertilizer or mulch. By far the most commonly grown in this country are Spearmint (M. spicata) and Peppermint (M. x piperita). Yes, you can. In addition to flavoring food and drinks, it serves as a natural pest deterrent in the vegetable, herb, or flower garden, and chewing the leaves not only freshens the breath but is said to calm an upset stomach. Paying off student loans increases your credit score. Start mint seeds indoors in pots a few weeks before transplanting. Spearmint and peppermint are the most common. Native to the Mediterranean, the genus Mentha has parented more than 3,500 varieties. Next, fill a wide planter with potting soil that has a pH between 6 and 7.5, plant the seedling, and water it thoroughly. If you are sowing directly into the garden, consider placing a row cover over the seeds until they sprout. Mint requires at least 6-7 hours of sunlight each day, but if you're using LED Plant Grow Lights, follow the instructions for your particular brand. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to Start Mint Seeds To sow the seeds indoors, place them on top of the Bio Sponge in your Bio Dome, or on top of the medium in your seed flat. Mint grows best as a potted plant, so it is a lovely plant to grow indoors. Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors as a potted plant. If you use something like a strawberry pot, you can grow multiple types of mint in the same container. Keep mint in daytime temperatures ranging 18-22 Celsius (65-70 F) and nighttime temperatures in the 13-15 Celsius (55-60 F) ranges. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil in light shade where the roots will stay moist but never become waterlogged. It is better to plant mint seedlings than to plant just seeds and wait for them to turn into seedlings. This article has been viewed 40,670 times. But it will put less energy toward leaf production if that is done. Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart. It’s best to grow them in pots to keep them from taking over your garden (even if you’re planting in the ground). The sprig does not need to have many leaves, and almost any sprig will do. This prevents the plant from “going to seed.” When a mint plant starts producing seeds, it puts less energy toward leaf production. Perfect for beginning gardeners, mint is the easiest of all herbs to grow, a perennial hardy in zones 4-9. If you want to grow a mint yourself, you can choose to not cut the flowers. You can grow mint indoors all year round either in pots or in aerogarden. Add around 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) to your mint plant at each watering. Light Requirements. A shelf across the room from a south-facing window. It has light green round foliage and pale… Choose a water soluble, time-release fertilizer. This article has been viewed 40,670 times. Choose a pot that has good drainage. Part 2 — How To Grow Mint Indoors From Seed Before you set your mind on this method, know that real peppermint is a sterile hybrid that has to be grown from cuttings. Always keep the soil moist with a mister. GrowPeat Pots are great for starting seed or growing very small mint. It is also a natural breath freshener. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. However, because this is a hardy perennial, they can also be started any time up until two months before the first expected frost. You will need a pot that is at least 12 inches deep. Latin Mentha sp. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Too much fertilizer can alter the taste of your mint. You can grow mint from seeds, cuttings or purchased plants. Mint plants do well in containers - probably better than being planted in the ground since containers keep them from spreading uncontrollably – and require almost no care other than watering and pinching back. Use a good quality potting mix so that your mint plant can grow big and healthy. Save mint leaves in an airtight container, like a jar or a small plastic bag. Mint is perfect for helping with indigestion. The best soil for sowing and growing mint should be rich in minerals and slightly acidic (between pH levels 6 and 7). To sow the seeds outdoors, place them on top of well-worked soil, then sprinkle a fine layer of vermiculite on top of them. Watering frequency depends on growing conditions. Snip off a 3-4 inch sprig, cutting it about 1 ½ inches above a leaf node. For tips on propagating mint from a cutting, read on! If you want to dry them, it’s best to cut the leaves right before flowering. For starters, you need a container with adequate drainage for healthy plant growth. There are so many mint species to … Spearmint is a leafy flowering plant most known for its culinary uses. They should sprout within 10 to 15 days at room temperature or slightly warmer (68 to 75°F). If you’re growing mint indoors, make sure to put the container in a place where it’ll receive morning sunlight and partial shade. Mint seeds take almost two weeks for germination. Then you can harvest your mint as needed to make mojitos or mint tea. Your mint will quickly outgrow this pot. Spearmint is exceptionally easy to grow outdoors but can be grown indoors as well. Growing mint indoors opens up a wide realm of potential uses for the herb, ranging from flavoring iced tea to relieve an upset stomach. Mint grows best as a potted plant, so it is a lovely plant to grow indoors. You can also just pick the leaves as you need them. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 40,670 times. Part 1 Sow outdoors in late spring or start seed indoors about eight to 10 weeks before the last frost. Germination takes up to 2 weeks at temperatures between 65-75°F. In spite all these, growing mint from seeds is not impossible in natural conditions. When growing mint indoors, keep in mind that they'll fare well in almost any environment with full sun or partial shade! Keep soil moist until the seed germinates. Mint Growing Conditions. Change the water every 4-5 days to keeping your trimming healthy. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. By using our site, you agree to our. According to Richters , an herb company that discourages growing mint from seeds, so-called “peppermint” seeds are actually a type of “rank-smelling” spearmint. Mint seeds should be sowed in the spring or fall, a safe distance from any windows or doors. How often does a mint plant need to be watered? For example, you don’t need to grow mint from seedlings. But as a hardy perennial, they can be started anytime until about 2 months before the first frost of fall, or year-round for indoor use. Do not cover the seeds; they need light to germinate. Mint is fragrant perennial plant that can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in the garden. Mint is a very fast growing plant, so ample room is required or it will quickly overgrow its neighbors. unlocking this expert answer. Choose mint sprigs that are several inches in length with new growth at the tip. This way you save up a lot of time. Ceramic planters are porous and lose moisture easily. Peppermint is used more often for drinks, like mojitos and hot chocolate. Certain varieties of mint can grow from seeds, but most have a low viability ratio. Put several seeds in one pot – they’re super small and hard to plant separately. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/mint/, http://foodiegardener.com/grow-mint-indoors-spearmint-and-peppermint/, http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/herbs/grow-mint-plants/, https://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-mint/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Mint is a lovely, low-maintenance plant with a wide variety of applications in food, drinks, and household products. Although, most mint plants are hybrids and will not grow true from seed. For spring planting, mint seeds can be started indoors in late winter or direct-sown in the warm spring soil. DON’T Plant mint in an open bed without first submerging a vessel that will contain the herb’s wild-growing roots. % of people told us that this article helped them. This is how I like to do it: Getting Started: Propagating Mint From Cuttings. Once the roots grow through the bottom of the Peat Pots then you will want to transplant it to a larger pot, such as Viagrow 5 Gallon Nursery Pot. While the above will work just fine, it should be noted that there are other methods for growing mint indoors. You can harvest one mint plant two or three times in one growing season. Pot up your mint plant with a good potting mix, either a regular commercial type or … For new plants from your old ones, root a stem cutting in a glass of water, or divide the entire plant into sections and replant each division. Mint is difficult to grow from seed, and it is virtually impossible for some varieties, like peppermint. If planting your mint indoors, locate your container where it will receive good morning light but where it will also be away from drying heating elements. Keep the potting soil consistently moist when growing mint indoors. Plant mint in spring after the last frost. Seeds should sprout in 10-16 days. Digestion. After about 6 weeks you can start harvesting mint leaves. For example, unglazed clay and wood pots dry out faster than plastic or glazed clay pots, and potting soil dries out faster when it's hot and sunny. How To Grow Mint Indoors. Then you can harvest your mint as needed to make mojitos or mint tea. Follow this handy How to Grow Mint for seeds guide and grow some flavour. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Therefore, the most suitable place to plant the mint would be near a tree, or in any place where it’ll remain in the shade for at least half a day. You can grow indoors mint from seeds in late winter or in early spring. For tips on propagating mint from a cutting, read on! The soil should always be moist, but well drained. Mint seed germinates in 10 to 15 days. Some varieties of mint include sweet mint, chocolate mint, spearmint, lemon mint, apple mint, and peppermint. How to grow mint indoors from seed. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Grow-Mint-Indoors-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Mint-Indoors-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Grow-Mint-Indoors-Step-1.jpg\/aid9382569-v4-728px-Grow-Mint-Indoors-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"