Into The Bloom: How To Grow Mint Plant At Home

Also known as pudina, mint is a staple in our kitchens. You just can't imagine cooking your meals without this fresh, aromatic herb. From fresh juices to curries to desserts, mint makes it to most of our everyday recipes. A lot of us get mint from grocery stores or use dried mint leaves or powdered mint to add the magic of this herb to our dishes but there is nothing like using fresh mint leaves for our daily meals. So, here, we thought of bringing you a quick guide to grow mint plant at home.

How To Grow a Mint Plant At Home?

If growing mint plant from seeds, get some seeds from the market and place 2-3 mint seeds evenly in the pot with enough soil. Place the pot indoors for the first few weeks and once the leaves begin to appear, you can keep the plant outside. You can grow a mint plant from a cutting too. Get about a five-inch tall cutting from a healthy plant. Plant it directly into the soil. You can also first place the cuttings in a glass of water until the roots form and then transfer the cuttings to the soil.

How To Take Care Of The Mint Plant?

• A mint plant needs at least 4-6 hours of sunshine per day. 
• It could take 7 to 15 days for mint leaves to appear if you are producing them via seeds, do not use fertilisers to grow the plant quickly. 
• Mint grows horizontally, so do give it ample space to spread its roots. It is a good idea to have a dedicated, separate corner for the mint plant.

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• Mint grows faster than most plants. When planting the herb, make sure you leave some space when potting it, and place the seeds/cuttings at least five inches deep.
• Mint leaves grow well in moist conditions. Do water the plant well and ensure the soil doesn't dry out. During the first few days, you will have to water the plant frequently. 

• As you keep using fresh mint leaves from the plant, do keep trimming the top of the plant. This will give you nice, fresh leaves on all sides of the plant.
• Change the pot every two to three years or the mint roots to ensure the plant grows strong.
• If you spot orange or brown patches on mint leaves then it could mean the plant has got infected by rust. To save your plant from this rust, you should use a fungicide spray. These sprays are easily available in the market. You can also ask your gardener to help you treat the rust.

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• The soil should be well-drained to keep pests and diseases at bay. To ensure this, make sure you use a pot that comes with a drainage hole.
• When you see mint flowers growing out of the leaves, keep removing them weekly, this will encourage a heavier growth of the plant.