Mint is a fantastic plant that has many uses. However, it can easily overgrow if it is not planted and pruned properly. Learning to care for your plant will save you time and future worries. Once you learn how to do this, pruning mint will become a simple matter.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prune a Large Amount of Mint
Step 1. Prune the mint by about one third of its volume after flowering
Wait until it has fully bloomed, then, using a pair of shears, cut about a third of the length of each stem. Mint is a relatively strong and fast-growing herb, so don't be afraid to cut it - your plant won't be affected.
- Pruning can even encourage growth, so it is not a destructive action on the plant.
- If you don't have a pair of shears or don't feel like using them, you can also prune them by hand. This process will take longer, but will still be effective. Pinch the stem with your fingers about one-third of the way down, using your fingernails to make a clean cut.
- It may be easier to use your fingers if you need to prune an indoor seedling, but you can also use scissors or a sharp knife.
Step 2. Shape the plant
As you develop it, reflect on the shape you would like it to have: the ideal is that it can grow inside the pot without getting out of control. Mint can grow fast and in different directions, so it is best to prune it to a shape that is suitable for the pot it is in.
- Give it a shape so that it isn't covered with too many leaves and buds.
- Pay attention to sprouting the plant all around. Make sure the plant doesn't extend too far beyond the sides of the pot.
Step 3. Save the mint for future use
After a profuse pruning it is important to store it correctly, so that you can use it in the months to come. There are several methods of preserving mint, the most common of which is letting it dry: this can be achieved by baking it in the oven, letting it air dry and dehydrating it.
- Freeze it. Inspect the leaves and remove the damaged ones. Dry them with a towel and cut them off by removing the stem. Place a full teaspoon or two of leaves in an ice cube tray, then fill it with water and place it in the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or bag and put them back in the freezer: they will keep for about 3 months.
- You can also vacuum-pack mint. Once again you have to sift it to remove any damaged leaves and dry the others. Place the healthy leaves in a bag, label it with the date, and use a vacuum cleaner (available online) to suck the air out of the bag. Each vacuum cleaner works differently, so you will need to follow the instructions on the box.
Step 4. Mint is usually harvested fresh throughout the year as needed
Avoid harvesting the leaves if the plant is not growing well due to severe cold or other poor conditions.
Method 2 of 3: Cut Only a Small Amount of Mint
Step 1. Prune your plant regularly
Mint is ripe when flowering begins (after around 90 days), but can be harvested anytime after it has reached 7-10cm in height. You can also use fresh mint after each pruning.
- Make sure you prune it thoroughly whenever you need it. Remember to trim it so that it grows roughly inside the pot it is in. If you are cutting a plant that is outside, be sure to do it so that it doesn't take up too much space in the garden.
- You can use shears for this, but for smaller plants you can simply operate with your hands.
Step 2. Use mint for cooking
Mint leaves can be used in many recipes. If the recipe says to use dried mint, try replacing it with fresh mint instead to give it a stronger flavor. You can also add mint leaves to drinks like lemonade or mojito to add some extra flavor.
Step 3. Turn a light pruning into a new seedling
If you wish to have more mint seedlings, you can make them using the parts you cut from the original plant. Cut a stem to a height of 15 cm and plant it in a pot filled with soil: with the right amount of light and water it will transform into a new seedling.
- Fill a pot of soil mixed with a large amount of fertilizer. Take the stem you cut from the plant and plant it in potting soil.
- You can also arrange the stems in a glass of water; remove any leaves that are below the surface, otherwise they will rot. Eventually the roots will begin to grow.
Method 3 of 3: Grow Mint
Step 1. Plant the mint in a pot
Mint plants have a fast growing root system, which is why it is best to plant them in a pot. If you plant them in the garden without a container, they will expand quickly and take up all the space.
- If you decide to plant the mint outside, dig a hole at least 10-15 cm deep and place a container (a pot or a mesh bag) in it, then plant the mint inside the container and cover it with soil. The container will prevent the roots from extending to the entire garden.
- If you want to plant it indoors, buy a pot and place it near a window so it gets sunlight all day. Do not place the plant near a heat source.
Step 2. Choose the right time to plant mint
If you keep it outside, it is important to know when to plant it. Be sure to do this in the spring if you live in a region with severe winters, while if you live in an area where it never freezes, be aware that mint peaks in mid-fall.
Step 3. Water it often
Make sure you feed her regularly, as she is a plant that thrives if the soil is moist. Mint can grow in different soil varieties, but it doesn't like dry environments. If you live in a dry environment, keep an eye on it and water it more frequently, in any case at least once a day.
Step 4. Fertilize her from time to time
Most of the time the mint should grow on its own, however you should occasionally provide the soil around the plant with some fertilizer to encourage growth. It can be especially useful if you prune it frequently.
- Don't overdo the fertilizer - once every 3-4 weeks should be enough.
- Choose a low-salt fertilizer, as salt can cause leaf tips to turn brown.
Step 5. Plant it correctly
When you plant it, make sure it is about 5 millimeters below the surface of the soil. If you decide to use a pot, you should only plant one seedling; if you opt for the garden, instead, place the seedlings 30 cm away from each other. Make sure you plant each one in its own container.
- Be sure to plant mint where it can receive sunlight. When planting it in a pot, make sure you can move it towards direct sunlight. Don't choose pots that are too large to place on a porch or patio.
- While it is preferable to grow mint outside, you can also choose to keep it inside. If you opt for the latter, choose an area where the plant is constantly exposed to sunlight and away from a radiator or boiler, otherwise it could dry out.
- Make sure the pot you plant it in has no cracks. The roots of mint grow very fast and would risk passing through them.
