We’ve all been there: you grab one of those cute little mint pots at the grocery store, bring it home, and within a week, it’s looking pretty sad. It’s easy to assume that mint just isn’t meant to live in a pot long-term, but that’s actually a total myth! If you know a few simple tricks, you can keep your potted mint thriving and enjoy a massive harvest all season long.
Setting the Stage: The Right Pot and Soil
When mint is happy, it grows *fast*. To keep it from getting frustrated, you need to give those roots plenty of room to roam and the right kind of “bedding.” If you just bought a plant, repot it immediately. If you’re propagating your own, start them off in a spacious home from day one.
- Use a pot that’s at least 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.
- Plastic, ceramic, or terracotta all work great.
- Make sure there are large drainage holes at the bottom—mint hates “wet feet.”
- Add a drainage layer of coarse gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom.
- Use a high-quality potting mix or herb soil.
- Pro tip: Mix in a little sand and some compost for the perfect texture.
The Perfect Spot
While mint *can* live in a pot indefinitely, keeping it on a kitchen windowsill forever isn’t great for its health. Once the danger of frost has passed in mid-May, your mint will be much happier outside on the patio or balcony. This is also the perfect time of year to plant new mint or repot your older plants.
Mint loves partial shade but can handle the sun too. Just try to avoid harsh, direct midday sun, which can scorch the leaves and cause brown spots. A spot with a nice breeze is perfect, but try to keep it out of super windy corners.
Keeping Your Mint Happy and Healthy
If you’ve just given your plant fresh soil, you don’t need to worry about fertilizer for a full year. After that, you can use organic liquid fertilizer or fertilizer sticks during the peak growing season (May through August)—just don’t overdo it! When it comes to watering, follow these simple rules:
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Water regularly, but let the top inch of soil dry out slightly between drinks.
- Adjust your watering based on the weather; the hotter it is, the thirstier your mint will be.
- Always empty the saucer under the pot after watering so the plant doesn’t sit in stagnant water.
Harvesting Your Homegrown Mint
You can harvest fresh mint all through the growing season. For the best flavor, pick it after a few sunny days when the essential oils are at their peak. Instead of just plucking individual leaves, it’s better to cut entire stems down to about 4 inches (10 cm). If your plant is going wild, give it a big “haircut” just before it blooms. You can then dry or freeze the extra. It’s actually a good idea to pinch off any flowers anyway, as they can make the leaves lose some of their signature punch.
Winter Care for Potted Mint
Mint is a perennial and surprisingly hardy. It can actually overwinter right in its pot! After the first frost, cut the plant back completely and cover the soil with some evergreen branches. You can wrap the pot in bubble wrap or burlap and move it to a sheltered spot like a garage or cellar. Just remember to give it a tiny bit of water on frost-free days.
Quick Tip:
If you want fresh mojitos all winter, take a cutting in the fall and start a new little plant to keep indoors on a sunny windowsill!
