Craving homegrown mint for teas, cocktails, or cooking—but don’t have a garden? No problem! Mint thrives indoors with minimal effort. Here are 3 easy ways to grow it year-round, even if you’re a plant newbie.
🌱 Method 1: From Cuttings (Fast & Free!)
Best for: Instant plants (no seeds needed).
What you’ll need:
- A healthy mint sprig (4-6 inches long)
- Glass of water
- Small pot with soil
Steps:
- Snip a stem just below a leaf node (where leaves grow).
- Remove lower leaves, leaving 2-3 at the top.
- Place in water (change every 3 days).
- Wait 1-2 weeks until roots appear, then plant in soil.
Pro tip: Take cuttings from grocery store mint—it works!
🪴 Method 2: From Seed (Slow but Rewarding)
Best for: Rare mint varieties (like chocolate or pineapple mint).
What you’ll need:
- Mint seeds
- Seed-starting mix
- Small pots or trays
Steps:
- Sprinkle seeds on damp soil (don’t bury deep—they need light).
- Cover with plastic wrap to keep humid until sprouts appear (~2 weeks).
- Thin seedlings to one per pot once they grow 2-3 leaves.
Warning: Mint seeds can be finicky—keep soil moist but not soggy.
🌿 Method 3: Division (For Overgrown Plants)
Best for: Reviving leggy or crowded mint.
What you’ll need:
- An existing mint plant
- Scissors or knife
- Fresh potting soil
Steps:
- Gently remove plant from its pot.
- Cut rootball into 2-3 sections (each with stems and roots).
- Replant divisions in new pots with fresh soil.
Bonus: Share extras with friends!
💡 Care Tips for Thriving Indoor Mint
✔ Sunlight: 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light (east/west window).
✔ Water: Keep soil moist (but never waterlogged).
✔ Prune: Pinch off flower buds to keep leaves flavorful.
✔ Pests: Spray with soapy water if aphids appear.
Avoid: Letting mint dry out completely—it’ll wilt dramatically (but often bounces back).
🌿 Harvesting & Using Your Mint
- Snip leaves as needed—the more you pick, the bushier it grows.
- Use fresh in mojitos, teas, salads, or as a garnish.
- Dry extras: Hang stems upside down, then store in jars.
Final Thought:
Mint is the ultimate beginner-friendly herb—it’s hard to kill and grows like a weed (in a good way). Start with cuttings for instant gratification, or try seeds for a fun challenge. Either way, you’ll have fresh mint forever!
(P.S. Keep it in a pot—mint spreads aggressively in gardens!) 🌱💚