There are many herb plant species that you can grow indoors, which mint is one of them.
Want to grow your favorite mint plant, but you don’t have any outdoor space? Never worry. Mint is one of the easiest herbs that can grow anywhere even indoors.
So, even if you live in an apartment that has no space, you just have to get creative with the little space you have. Either by getting a container, jar, or anything that will not take much space.
Read on to learn more about mint plants, the best ways on how to grow mint indoors, the benefits, and the requirement for growing mint indoors.
The table of content above is an overview of the best ways & benefits of growing mint indoors.
Table of contents
About Mint Plant
According to Wikipedia, Mentha (also known as Mint, from Greek is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae (mint family). The exact distinction between species is unclear; it is estimated that 13 to 24 species exist.
Naturally, hybridization occurs where some species’ ranges overlap. Many hybrids and cultivars are known.
The genus has a wide distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America.
Furthermore, most of them grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints grow 10–120 cm (4–48 inches) tall and can spread over an indeterminate area. Due to their tendency to spread unchecked, some mints are considered invasive.
In addition, Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial herbs.
Why Grow Mint Indoors
There a lot of reasons why we grow mint in the house. First, Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors, as long as you give the plant enough light and consistent moisture. Mint also makes a surprisingly beautiful houseplant.
Secondly, mint is attractive and has a good flavor when you use it to make a cup of hot tea on a cold day.
Another reason to grow mint indoors is for the fragrance. The fragrance of mint is energy-boosting and invigorating. You can even toss a few leaves into your bath water for a fragrant, muscle-soothing soak.
The final benefit of growing mint indoors is a lack of pests. Aside from the occasional fungus gnat, you will not have any houseplant pests attack your mint plants.
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Best Ways On How To Grow Mint Indoor
There are three main ways to grow mint as a houseplant. So, stay with me let’s discuss each option in turn.
#1. How to grow mint indoors – in soil
This is the most common way to grow mint inside. Choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches in diameter and has a drainage hole in the bottom.
You can use decorative ceramic pots, but plastic works too. Avoid clay pots because they dry out too quickly.
Use a high-quality, general potting soil to put your mint plant, making sure to leave about a half-inch of headspace between the top of the soil and the edge of the pot.
This acts as a reservoir and keeps irrigation water from running off too quickly. Mint plants in a pot can live for years as houseplants.
#2. How to grow mint indoors – in Water
Do you know that you can also grow mint in water? The main benefit of this method is that it lacks soil. No mess, no watering, and never any fungus gnats.
However, mint doesn’t live forever in water. Eventually, the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will stop growing. But, keeping a few water-rooted stems in a jar above the sink means you’ll be able to make the occasional harvest.
So, to start growing mint indoors in water, You just simply need to take some stem cuttings from a mother plant, remove all the lower leaves, and support the stems in a glass of water.
Furthermore, always change the water and wash the glass every five to seven days. They will quickly develop roots and will be able to grow in the water-filled jar for a few weeks or months, depending on the growing conditions.
#3. How to grow mint indoors – hydroponically
This is another way to grow mint indoor. In fact, mint is a great crop to grow using a commercially made or a DIY hydroponic system.
The lack of soil definitely translates to less mess, but hydroponic systems are more expensive than soil-based growing. The nutrient solutions are more costly than traditional fertilizers, too.
However, if you plan to grow a lot of mint, hydroponics is worth researching.
For some excellent inexpensive DIY hydroponic options and more info on this growing method, you can read the book DIY Hydroponic Gardens by Tyler Baras.
Types of Mint Plant For Indoor Growing
There are different types of mint you can grow indoor which include: peppermint (Mentha x Piperita), spearmint (M. spicata), and pineapple mint (M. suaveolens ‘Variegata’).
Also, chocolate mint (M. x Piperita ‘Chocolate Mint’) and apple mint (M. suaveolens). Each offers its own flavor in addition to making a unique-looking houseplant.
Requirement for growing mint indoors
Growing mint indoor is good and rewarding, it complements vegetables, salads, yogurt, and meat. Here are requirements you need to know while growing mint indoor.
#1. Location
Mint can tolerate some shade outside, but it needs a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct sunlight to grow well.
So you have to choose a position where it can receive that much sun and proper air circulation.
It can be near a window or door, or you can keep it on a windowsill or a balcony, which will be the best.
#2. Soil
To get a good result, a quality potting mix that is light and soil-less is what you need to grow mint indoors. You can also make it yourself by following the methods below:
- Combine 4-6 parts peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part vermiculite. If adding nutrients, blend 1/2 cup each bone meal, oyster shell lime (raises pH), and cottonseed meal/canola meal per 8 gallons of potting mix. Or
- Add 1 part peat moss or coco peat, 1 part perlite (and if you don’t have access to perlite), 1 part compost, 1 part sterile garden soil (optional).
#3. Water
Mint loves moist soil not overly wet. You should be careful (especially in winter) when watering and don’t soak the plant both in the morning and evening to pamper it.
Just water the plant well and slightly moist. Both underwatering and overwatering should be avoided.
#4. Fertilizer
Herbs growing indoors or anywhere shouldn’t be fertilized heavily, or else they lose flavor. Feeding the mint plant occasionally using water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer should be enough.
You can also top-dress the top layer of the pot with compost or manure.
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Benefits of growing mint indoor
Mint plant is naturally rich in antioxidants, which actively fight oxidative stress and the cell damage caused by free radicals. Also, it helps keep your home from pesky bugs like ants and flies outside.
Also, it’s an excellent source of Vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and night vision. Furthermore, mint, most especially peppermint, is widely used in home remedies for:
Indigestion
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Bacterial infections and bad breath
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Skin irritation and insect bite
- headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue and improved cognitive function.
Moreover, spearmint is best used for savory dishes and hot drinks; it has a sweet, full-bodied flavor and gentle fragrance. Peppermint is better for the sweeter flavors in chilled drinks, smoothies, and desserts.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, here are the health benefits of mint leaves that will wow you which include: Decongestant, weight loss, asthma, and cancer.
Pros and Cons Of Growing Mint Indoor
Here are pros and cons of growing mint indoor
| PROS | CONS |
| You can grow mint in a container | Mint plants have strong, complex root systems that take hold easily and hold on tight. |
| It grows well indoors, given the right conditions. | Also, It spreads quite effectively. |
| Mint is a useful herb that is used for both culinary and medicinal. | |
| It’s also nutritious, being high in fiber and vitamin A. | |
| The plant is great when used to complement dishes, and makes a wonderful addition to tea and other drinks. | |
| Also, You can use mint for aromatherapy too, from all the types of mint. | |
| You can use the herb to relax muscles, soothe indigestion and it serves well as a mild decongestant when you’re all stuffy and can’t breathe. |
CONCLUSION
Now that you have learn how to grow mint indoor and benefit of using mint plants. you can plant a mint plant in your kitchen, bedroom or even on your bathroom windowsill, and experience the fun and satisfaction of gardening, and the benefits for using it no matter where you live!
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