I can’t imagine not having my endless supply of mint at my fingertips. There are so many ways to reap the rewards of this crop. Mint is widely known and used as a herb that adds a refreshing flavor to kitchen recipes. It is also used in health and beauty products for its cooling effect.
This article will guide you through the steps to start growing your own hydroponic mint. Then we’ll explore all the ways this herb is so helpful and how you can enjoy your mint harvest, all year round.
Main takeaways from this article:
- How to start growing mint from a cutting, rooting it in water.
- How to transplant a rooted cutting into a container to grow.
- How to prune to maintain a continuous harvest.
- Health benefits of mint leaves.
- How to make mint tea.
- How to make mint oil.
- How to make mint extract.
- How to repel rodents with mint.
How to root your mint cutting in water
Growing mint from seed is known to be troublesome. Starting with a cutting will bypass the delicate germination phase.
I did not have an existing mint plant available for my mint cutting. Chances are, if you’re reading this article, neither do you. In this case, your local grocery store should have mint cuttings in the fresh produce section. This is where my mint cuttings came from and are now healthy mint plants.
To root your mint cutting you will need:
- mint cutting 6″ or more in length
- sharp scissors
- short glass or jar
- fresh water
Step 1:
Choose cuttings that are six inches or more in length. Remove all leaves from cutting except top two leaves.
Step 2:
Make a fresh cut at the bottom of the cutting. Immediately place in a clean jar with fresh water.
Step 3:
Place jar with cutting in a spot where it will get lots of bright, indirect sunlight. Refresh water every 3 days.
After 7 days, you will see white roots growing out from your cutting. Allow cutting to grow roots an inch in length before transplanting.
Transplanting your rooted cutting
Now that your cutting has grown some roots, you will transplant into a container.
Growing mint in a container can make it more accessible for when you want to use it.
Mint is also known for spreading rapidly and choking out the root system of other plants. Growing mint alone in a container will keep it manageable.
To transplant your mint cutting you will need:
- 2 solo cups – 1 with drainage hole, 1 without drainage hole
- growing medium – eg: 2 parts coco coir mixed with 1 part perlite
- fresh water
Step 1:
Put some grow medium in your container and add fresh water. You want your medium to be moist not soaked. Arrange your medium in the container so that there is a hollow in the middle. This is where your cutting will go.
Step 2:
Place cutting in hollow and cover all roots with more medium. You can plant several cuttings in one container. This will give you a fuller plant much faster. Make sure to add enough medium that it makes good contact with roots.
Step 3:
Place container in a sunny window and water as needed.
Pruning your mint plant for a continuous harvest
In 4-6 weeks you should have a small mint plant. You can pick leaves from your plant as you need them. Picking and pruning will encourage your plant to grow and produce more leaves.
Harvest leaves from the top of the plant to control height and encourage outward growth. For a continuous crop, do not prune or harvest more than 30% of the plant at a time. Allow for new growth before harvesting again.
Another option is to separate it into smaller sections to make more plants.
Why grow mint?
It doesn’t make much sense to grow anything for no reason. You shouldn’t waste time and energy on growing a plant or crop if there is no intention to make use of its harvest.
Let’s explore the many reasons why you should grow mint.
Health benefits of mint leaves
A very informative article at organicfacts.net lists more than a dozen health benefits of mint leaves.
The list of health benefits include:
- Treat asthma
- Cure allergies and hay fever
- Aide in digestion
- Aide in breast feeding
- Prevent respiratory disorders
- Skin care
- Weight loss
- Prevent memory loss
- Oral care
- Treat nausea
- Relieve headaches
- Reduce depression and fatigue
- Improve sterility
How to make mint tea
Mint tea is a simple and quick way to enjoy the labor of your crop. This homemade remedy will soothe indigestion or an itchy throat.
To make mint tea you will need:
- fresh mint leaves
- fresh water (you decide how to boil water)
- your favorite mug
Step 1:
Pick and prepare your mint leaves. You will need 8-10 leaves. You want to pick leaves that look healthy, green and unblemished.
Step 2:
Give the leaves a good rinse and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 3:
Tear the leaves with your fingers to release more of its flavor. Place torn leaves in a mug.
Step 4:
Bring water to a boil using a kettle, microwave or in a pot over the stove. Boil enough water to fill your mug. Once the water comes to a boil, remove from heat and let it rest for a minute. You want the boiling water to slightly cool so that your tea is brewed, not boiled.
Step 5:
Allow tea to steep for 5 minutes’
Step 6:
Remove the used mint leaves from your mug and enjoy your fresh mint infusion.
**Optional: Add a hint of sweetness with some honey or a bit of sugar.
Cool Variation:
Make a larger batch of sweet mint tea and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to a pitcher and continue cooling in the refrigerator.
Pour this unique “iced tea” over ice cubes in a tall glass. Great for hot summer nights!
How to make infused mint oil using heat
Infused oils are carrier oils infused with the properties of a plant, flower or herb using low and slow heat.
Infusing oil with herbs from my hydroponic garden is one of many reasons why I grow indoors, all year round.
For this method you will need:
- 1 cup of fresh mint leaves
- 4 cups of coconut, palm, grape seed, blackseed, avocado, sunflower or olive oil
- small bowl
- saucepan
- stirring utensil
- heat resistant bowl
- paper towels
Step 1:
Pick 1 cup of fresh, unblemished leaves from your mint plant. The best time to pick leaves is early morning. If you intend on harvesting the whole plant, wait until the plant is just about to bloom for maximum flavor.
Step 2:
Wash your leaves gently with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Step 3:
Tear leaves into small pieces and place them in a cold saucepan.
Step 4:
Pour 2 cups of carrier oil into cold saucepan covering the torn mint leaves. Place saucepan on stove. Set heat to medium. Slowly bring oil and leaves to a simmer. Stir constantly to reduce the chance of burning ingredients.
Step 5:
Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature in saucepan.
For a more concentrated result: Allow oil to cool to room temperature. Remove leaves and repeat the recipe with 1 cup of new leaves and this oil.
Step 6:
Pour room temperature infused oil through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar. Secure lid on jar. Store your fresh mint infused oil in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
How to make mint extract
A divine spirit that you will make yourself and from your mint harvest.
Heather at Mommypotamus.com provides step-by-step instructions with pictures on how to make her tasty mint extract recipe.
Imagine adding hints of mint to:
- homemade brownies
- hot chocolate
- chocolate mousse
- ice cream
- homemade marshmallows
You can add a simple syrup to make a mint liqueur. Mojitos anyone!?
How to use mint for rodent control: Is there a mouse in your house?
Mint can help deter pesky rodents away from your home in a few different ways. As your mint crop grows, you can propagate more mint plants from cuttings to repel mice.
Once your cuttings have developed roots, plant each into separate containers. Make sure to use containers that are suitable for outdoor use. (Soil may be easier for this application).
Allow mint plants to grow indoors for a couple of weeks. The root system of each plant needs to be healthy and strong before moving pots outside.
Pruning will encourage more growth and more stems, making your plant bushier.
When plants are ready for outdoors, place each pot at a possible entry point for rodents. I have mint plants growing in containers where my utilities, (electricity, cable,) enter my home. Consider any cracks in an exterior wall and close to ground level as a possible entry point for rodents.
You can repel mice from inside your home too. Mint oil is a non-toxic alternative for rodent control. If you have pets or young children this is a great option that is free from harmful chemicals.
Soak a cotton ball with mint oil and place where there are signs of mouse activity. Look for mouse droppings or bits of torn insulation.
There are so many different ways to use mint leaves with their beneficial properties. Mint would be a wonderful addition to your indoor hydroponic garden, all year round.