Propagating mint couldn’t be easier and it is the perfect activity for a beginner gardener because you will achieve fast results. Once your plant has grown you will have your own fresh supply that is free from plastic and pesticides.
By putting a cutting in a glass of water instead of a pot of soil you can have fun watching the roots grow. You just need to be gentle when you plant your cutting to ensure that you don’t damage the roots.
This is a great activity to do with kids who might like to test out if there are any other plants that can also be grown this way.
There are many different mints to match your every culinary purpose. At the moment I’m growing spearmint, peppermint, Vietnamese mint and common mint.
Varieties of mint:
- common mint
- spearmint
- peppermint
- vietnamese mint
- apple mint
- chocolate mint
- basil mint
- native mint
Images: Spearmint, peppermint, Vietnamese mint
How to propagate
- Find a left over piece of mint from a bunch you have bought from the markets or a grocery store or ask your friends if they have a plant you could take a cutting from.
- Cut a stem of mint around 15cm in length. Choose a thick, healthy stem and cut just below a node (the bump in the stem you will see the leaves shoot from).
- Gently pull off about one-third to half of the leaves.
- Place the stem of mint in a clean glass of water out of direct sunlight. If the weather is hot try placing half a cut bottle over the top of the plant to create a terrarium effect.
- Watch it grow! Soon you will have your very own mint plant.
Image: mint cuttings with roots forming
Plant your mint in a container
When you are ready, transfer your cutting into a container of soil and keep well-watered with some protection from the harsh afternoon sun.
Mint can become an invasive plant in the garden so it is best grown in a container, or in a submerged pot within a garden bed. I find it easier to grow in containers, and I re-plant mine each year to ensure I get lush growth.
If you feel inspired to grow some other plants this way try watercress, rosemary or members of the salvia family of plants such as pineapple sage.
Try growing some cuttings straight into soil too. You’ll be amazed by what you can grow and what fun you can have along the way.
Hello,
I was wondering for how long you can keep growing the mint in water, or does it have to be transferred into a pot with soil after the roots have grown? If the mint is kept in water, does it grow new leaves adequately?
Hi Niloo, You need to transfer the mint cuttings into pots with potting mix but they will last a fair while if they have some indirect sunlight and you keep changing the water. The cuttings will grow best if you transfer them at an earlier stage. You can also grow cuttings straight into pots but growing them in water is a fun activity and this way you get to see how fast the roots grow! 🙂
Hi Niloo,
how long it will take to form the roots in water ?
Hi Niloo,
The length of time is dependent on the weather/time of year. It can be between a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Have you given it a try?
Anna
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges.
It was really informative. Your website is very useful.
Thanks for sharing!
This is such a great post.
Very informative .
Will definitely try in water although I’m planting mint in soil but I have to experience the growth of mint in water also .
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These information was what i have been looking for. Thanks.
I have a question. Is there any thing I can put in the water to improve the growing of the mint plant?
Hi Lotfi,
Once your mint has some roots you could give it a small amount of general fertiliser. Use some fertiliser crystals to make up some liquid (let it dissolve properly) and add some to your water. More is not better with fertiliser so don’t make the solution too strong. Pour the remaining liquid onto plants in your garden or indoor plants (after watering). Hope this helps.
Today I planted mint in my Mason jar in water just as a trial. I want to know that after how many days I have to change want and put in fresh water.
Hi Meghna, Ideally changing the water every day would be great but every 3-4 days should be okay (and is more practical). Keep an eye on the colour of the water – you want to keep it clear. If yours are outside make sure they have some shelter from direct sun/wind/etc. Hope this helps. Good luck 🙂
I tried this method but the leaves started to wilt then turned yellow and eventually brown and fell off before the stems develop roots. Some of the stems turned brown is well. Do you have any idea what might have gone wrong?
Hi Kay, Was it really cold weather when you tried it? If so, try again when the weather is warmer and pick a nice thick healthy stem. Also, did it have some natural light and was it away from air conditioners/heaters?
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Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.