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Potted mint plants


Growing Mint Plants | How to Grow Mint & Mint Plant Care – Bonnie Plants

Growing mint is easy—sometimes too easy. Learn to plant, grow, and control mint in your garden. Growing mint in pots is usually your best bet.

All types of mint (including sweet mint, spearmint, peppermint, and chocolate mint) are fast-growing, spreading plants, so you must give them a place to spread without getting in the way, or plant them in a pot. Mint sends out runners that spread above and just below the ground, quickly forming large, lush green patches. In the right place it makes a pretty seasonal ground cover. You can also contain mint in tight places such as between pavers of a walkway where your feet will brush against the leaves to release its fragrance.

Quick Guide to Growing Mint

Soil, Planting, and Care for Growing Mint

First, start off strong by planting young Bonnie Plants® mint plants. After all, you can't go wrong with a company that's been supplying plants to home gardeners for over 100 years! Plant mint in the spring, or in the fall in frost-free climates, setting seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. Try growing mint in a pot where you can keep it in check and handy near the kitchen for a constant supply of sprigs. To give roots a just-right growing environment, fill the pot with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix, which contains aged compost to improve soil texture and nutrition. To keep mint from taking over space needed by other plants, you may want to plant it solo in a 10″ pot, then plant the pot in a larger container or even in the ground. Give the pot a turn every week or two to keep roots from escaping through the drainage holes.

If you simply must plant mint directly in the ground (if you're using it as a ground cover, for example), select a damp area in your garden or yard in either full sun or part shade. Mint prefers fertile soil with a pH from 6.0 to 7.0. If you don't choose to test your soil, you can simply improve it by adding a few inches of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil, also enriched with aged compost, in with the top layer of existing soil.

Mint is plenty vigorous on its own, but will grow even better when you pair great soil with regular doses of plant food, especially if you harvest a lot. Feed with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition (follow label directions), which feeds the soil as well as the plants. Be sure to keep the soil moist via regular watering and add mulch around the plant to help slow the evaporation of all that crucial moisture.

To help keep plants in check, harvest the tips regularly and pull up wayward runners. Mint's small flowers bloom from June to September; trim these before the buds open to keep the plant compact. Although slightly frost tolerant, the top of mint will eventually die back in winter except in zones 8 and south, but the root are quite hardy, surviving into zone 5 (some varieties even into zone 3). Lift and replant your mint every 3 to 4 years to keep your patch's flavor and scent strong.

Troubleshooting when Growing Mint

Although mint is a rugged plant, when it is young it is vulnerable to whiteflies, blackflies, spider mites, snails, and slugs.

How to Harvest Mint

Harvest mint leaves at any size by pinching off stems. For a large harvest, wait until just before the plant blooms, when the flavour is most intense, then cut the whole plant to just above the first or second set of leaves. In the process, you will remove the yellowing lower leaves and promote bushier growth. Three such harvests per season are typical for mint.

How to Use and Store Mint

Fresh mint leaves are a nice complement to lamb, fish, poultry, and vegetables such as peas, new potatoes, and carrots. Mint also blends well with green or fruit salads and beverages such as punch, lemonade, and tea. Two very well-known drinks, mint julep and Cuban mojito, both depend on spearmint for their cool zest. Freeze mint in cubes for iced tea. You can also preserve it in vinegar or dry it for potpourri or sachets.

Mint is frost tolerant. It usually dies back in the winter but comes back in spring.Because mint tends to take over, many gardeners plant mint in a small pot and then plant that pot in the ground or inside a larger container. Mint flavors drinks from mojito to iced tea. Orange mint leaves and slices of oranges add fresh flavor to this pitcher of water.

FAQs

Can I plant mint in a pot?

Absolutely. Set one plant in a pot that's about 12 to 14 inches in diameter, preferably one that will withstand freezing winter temperatures. Choose a quality potting mix, and consider adding a water-retaining polymer at the rate recommended on the label. Keep the pot watered when the surface is dry, and enjoy cutting your mint. Remember, cutting encourages flavorful new growth. The plant will go dormant in the winter, but it will sprout again in spring. Be sure to place the pot on a paved surface or pedestal so the mint will not escape into your beds through the drainage holes in the pot.

Do I need to fertilize mint? What do I use and how much?

Most people worry about having too much mint, but any herb grown in a pot or that you plant to harvest regularly needs extra nutrition. Use a time-release fertilizer in spring when growth begins; just read the label for the recommended rate. If growth slows in the summer, be sure the soil is moist. You can also top-dress a bed of mint in the spring with compost or composted manure. This will improve the soil, especially is your soil is sandy and quick to dry out.

Can I contain mint with steel edging?

It sounds like a good idea. Remember, when the stems get long in the summer, they can bend over and root on the other side of the edging. If you are worried about mint competing with other plants, especially in well-worked garden soil, plant it in a bed that is contained by concrete. No, don't pour a border, but a narrow strip between your house foundation and a sidewalk or driveway is a good spot. You can also plant it in a place where, if it escapes the edging, it will be in the lawn. When you mow, the aroma will be incredible!

How do I harvest mint for fresh-brewed tea?

Mint tea is easy to make. Cut 3 or 4 stems' worth of mint, 6 to 8 inches long. Rinse off the stems and leaves to remove any dust from outdoors. Put them in a pitcher or teapot and pour boiling water over them. After about 10 minutes, remove the green leaves with a long-handled spoon. Sweeten if desired and drink hot or pour over ice. Refrigerate any that is left and enjoy for the next couple of days. You can also add mint to the pitcher to steep with orange pekoe tea bags. Just remove the mint when you remove the tea bags. Sweeten the tea with honey, lemon, or however you and your family like your tea.

Chocolate Mint Container Gardening Harvesting Herbs Mint Peppermint Spearmint Sweet Mint

How to grow mint in pots

Mint is a fragrant, delicious, multi-purpose herb that’s so easy to grow it can easily take over when planted in the ground. That’s why it’s perfect for a container herb garden! Once you know how to grow mint in pots, you’ll be able to produce as much as you need, while controlling spread.

One time we lived in a house where the previous owners grew mint and lemon balm in the front flower beds.

So guess what I inherited? TONS of mint and lemon balm. The stuff really does take over, when left to its own devices and unlimited space!

At one point some mint even managed to pop up around the mailbox, across the whole yard from that flower bed. How?? I still don’t know, but you have to admit the persistence is impressive.

This is exactly why mint does best in pots and containers (unless you’re trying to grow a huge mint crop and don’t mind the takeover, in which case, plant it wherever you want!).

With pots, you can control the spread while growing plenty for use in your kitchen and household.

All about mint

Mint plants are hardy and one of the easiest herbs to grow; they thrive in sunlight or partial shade.

Mint is great to use as a garnish and it tastes amazing with fish, meat, poultry, or vegetables. Mint also blends well with green or fruit salads. Mint can be used with vegetables including peas, new potatoes and carrots.

Mint has been around for thousands of years and there are records showing that people were using this herb back in ancient Egypt.

Did you know that there are also other ways to use mint besides the kitchen? Mint is also traditionally used in herbal remedies, and you can make natural cleaning products with peppermint oil too.

Read on for all the details about how to grow mint in pots! You and your flower beds will be glad you did.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

How to grow mint in pots

Mint is a very easy plant to grow and makes a great addition to your patio herb garden. It spreads by sending out runners known as rhizomes and can become an invasive plant if you let it, which makes it perfect for containers because … it’s contained!

Growing mint involves very few special considerations. Mint is a versatile plant that prefers moist, nutrient rich soil and lots of sunlight. It’s a great container plant and thrives in a wide range of conditions.

That said … mint does not like extreme temperatures and will do best with similar environment conditions as many herbs: warm and moist, not too hot or cold.

Always use high quality potting mix, to ensure fertile soil and the right balance of organic matter like peat moss. My favorites are Miracle-Gro Potting Mix and Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix.

Choose a container

Pots for mint should be 8-10 inches or more in diameter and 12 inches deep to accommodate the plant’s vigorous root system.

Mint can get tall (as much as 18″) and really does spread fast, so if you have a large pot or a big 10-gallon grow bag, go for it!

Mint containers should have drainage holes and can be any material. Just keep in mind terracotta and other unglazed clay pots will dry out faster than glazed or plastic ones.

Where to plant mint

You’ll want a sunny spot, although it can also tolerate partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal.

When to plant mint

Mint seedlings or transplants can be planted outside in containers in spring after last frost. You can also plant in late summer or fall for a fall harvest.

Mint is generally frost tolerant, but it will die back and go dormant in winter, except in zone 8 and farther south.

If you’re in a cooler climate and want to keep it going as a perennial, it’s a good idea to bring mint indoors for the winter months. Just keep it in a sunny window and water and harvest regularly.

How to grow mint from seed

You can start mint seeds indoors in early spring, about 6-8 weeks before your first frost date (check this frost date calendar if you’re not sure).

Use a soilless seed starting medium like coconut coir or Miracle-Gro seed-starting mix in a seed-starting tray. Those are the ones I use and highly recommend.

You can also start them outdoors 1-2 weeks after last frost, in the containers you plan to use for the season. Mint prefers temps above 68 degrees.

Mint seeds need sunlight to germinate, so plant them just 1/4″ deep. The best way to do this is to sprinkle them on the surface and then add a tiny thin layer of the soilless medium or potting soil. Pat gently to secure the seeds.

In a 12″ container, plant 4-6 mint seeds and thin to 1 once they’re a few inches tall. Remember … these will spread! One can easily fill a container.

Germination usually takes 1-2 weeks. While waiting for germination, and for several weeks after, keep them lightly watered. The soil should remain moist but not soggy.

I use a spray bottle to mist seeds and young seedlings.

After they’re a bit more established, maybe a few inches tall, you can gently water the ones in containers with a watering can.

Mint establishes strong roots quickly, so you probably won’t displace them with a watering can flow at that point.

Recommended mint seeds: Common mint, heirloom variety

Varieties of mint

There are many species of mint, each with their own flair — sometimes strong flavor, sometimes subtle, but always interesting and usually better than anything you can find in the grocery store.

No matter what type of mint you decide to grow, they’ll have essentially the same planting and care instructions. Always read the seed packet for details.

How to grow mint from cuttings

Mint is easy to propagate from cuttings, as its roots are strong and resilient. A cutting from a healthy plant will readily re-root itself.

There are two main ways to grow mint from cuttings: re-rooting in water or re-rooting in soil.

Either way you choose, start by using sharp scissors or garden shears to cut a stem about 6 to 8 inches long from the top of your plant. Cut just below a leaf node, the spot where leaves emerge.

Include at least two or more pairs of leaves above this point.

Strip off all leaves except those at the tip, leaving the leaf nodes intact along the stem.

Some people prefer to dip stems in rooting hormone to help them propagate, but mint does well from cuttings and doesn’t necessarily need it.

Potting soil rooting option

Insert cutting several inches deep in moist, but not soggy, potting soil and water well. Keep in a shady spot while the cutting re-roots and gets established.

After a week or two, you can prune a few leaves from the top to encourage growth.

Water rooting option

Take a cutting the way described above. Place the stem in a cup or other small container of water until you see roots grow and get stronger.

Then gently transplant into potting soil and water well. Keep the newly potted mint in the shade for a week or two while it gets established, then harden off by giving it a little more sun each day, until it’s in the sun full time.

Watering instructions

Mint likes moist soil but doesn’t like excess water or soggy roots. When the top 1/2″-1″ of potting soil is dry, it’s time to water!

Keep an eye on it throughout the growing season and water your mint frequently to maintain its moisture level, daily during hot spells.

Fertilizer instructions

Mint is a heavy foliage producer and should be fertilized during active growth, usually in spring and summer.

Start by including some time-release fertilizer pellets in the potting soil when you plant your mint. I use and highly recommend Jobe’s Organic Slow-Release Fertilizer. Super easy and lasts for a couple of months.

Then fertilize again after it produces new shoots, usually around 6-8 inches tall.

A balanced fertilizer will work well for mint, or something with higher nitrogen to encourage leaf growth. I recommend fish emulsion or organic bone meal. Be sure to dilute per package instructions.

Pests and diseases

Powdery mildew is one common problem that can affect mint if the surrounding air is humid or damp. If this occurs, use baking soda spray to address it. Although baking soda is considered safe for most plants, test it on a small portion of mint before applying to the whole plant.

When to harvest mint

Mint is really easy to harvest: just pick some fresh leaves anytime! You’ll get the best flavor before the plant flowers and goes to seed, so pick before then and pinch off flowers when they appear.

You can harvest the leaves for use or cuttings at any time of year by cutting them back when needed–just make sure not to cut back more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.

Uses for mint

Planning to grow herbs in pots on your deck? These articles can help round out your container herb garden: 

And that’s it! I hope you found this post helpful and encourage you to try growing mint in pots this year.

It’s a versatile, fast-growing herb you can easily start from seed and grow in containers. In fact, mint does best in pots because it limits the spread. Let us know how it goes in the comments below!

How to grow homemade mint: useful properties of a houseplant

Since ancient times mint has been grown as a medicinal plant. Its unique medicinal properties have been noticed since ancient times. There are mentions of mint in the Gospel, it was discovered in the tomb of the pharaohs of Egypt. According to an old legend, the goddess Minte, in love with the god Persen, was turned into fragrant grass. Her wife Persen bewitched her out of jealousy.

Description

Potted mint or plectranthus is a deciduous ornamental plant grown in hanging pots.

Characteristics of the plant:

Plectrantus has many varieties. Most of the species are shrubs (not ampelous plants), reaching a height of 40 cm.

Plectranthus species:

As it was said: the leaves of the plant have a minty aroma. They have special glands that secrete essential oils. Several varieties can be grown at home .

  1. The most popular subtype is the mole tree. This plant is about one meter high. The evergreen tree pleases with fresh shoots all year round.
  2. The second type is Scandinavian, Swedish ivy with creeping meter shoots.
  3. The third subtype is a green shrub, with shoots hanging from a flower pot.

Useful properties of indoor mint

Home mint, as well as garden mint has the healing effect of . In addition, indoors, the fragrant plant drives out moths, flies and mosquitoes (which is why mint is also called fly bug in Russia).

The aroma that this plant emits has a beneficial effect on the human nervous system. The fresh leaves are used in folk medicine to treat enuresis in children by making fragrant baths. Take a glass of fresh leaves of the plant and pour them with boiling water (half a liter). The medicinal liquid is infused and filtered. The infusion is added to the bath for bathing the baby. It is important that the temperature does not exceed 29degrees. Each time the infusion needs to be prepared fresh.

Mint is also used as a seasoning for meat dishes and roasts, the main thing is to observe the norm so that the smell is not too strong. It is added to tea as an excellent tool that helps to calm down in a stressful situation. It is desirable that the tea was without any flavorings or impurities.

Mint and pomegranate juice mixed in equal doses relieves nausea. This is due to the presence of tannins and astringents in the composition of mint.

Chinese, Japanese and Arab healers actively use mint, prescribing it for bronchial, liver and gynecological diseases .

The leaves of this plant help relieve irritation and itching after mosquito bites. Before applying the leaflet to the bite site, it must be washed and kneaded.

Cool drinks with mint for a refreshing feeling on hot summer days, is an excellent tonic. It is impossible to imagine cough drops without mint, as well as Mojito cocktail, oriental dolma, sauerkraut and printed gingerbread. Curly, long-leaved, apple mint adds piquancy and a distinctive flavor to dishes.

Planting house mint

The fate of plectranthus depends on the correct planting. In order for mint to easily adapt to new conditions, it is necessary to prepare a special soil for its growth.

The best option would be fertile soil with a low level of acidity . The following mixture is ideal:

Before filling the pot with earth, line the bottom of the pot with a three-centimeter layer of drainage. Expanded clay, small pebbles, small bricks are perfect as drainage. In order not to disturb the growth of roots, the soil is not heavily tamped. After planting a plant, it must be watered.

Mint is a fast-growing plant , so when choosing a pot, it is important to pay attention to its size. For the initial planting, you need a medium pot. It will last for several years. There will be enough space for the root system to strengthen and grow.

When transplanting a plant, you will need a pot two to three times the size of the previous one. These conditions must be met every year. The pot should not be too voluminous, high and made of quality material.

Conditions of detention

Room mint is very demanding on air humidity. It tolerates the proximity to a heater or a battery well in the presence of high humidity in the room.

To regulate the humidity, place a plate of water next to the flower or place wet pebbles, moss or expanded clay in the tray. Care should be taken that the pot does not touch the bottom of the water in the pan.

Plectranthus should be watered frequently . In summer, spray its leaves or pour water over them from a watering can. The earth should not be washed out of the pot.

In winter, the plant rests, so watering should be reduced to a minimum.

To grow and multiply any plant, including house mint , requires a certain temperature in the room . In summer and spring, the optimum temperature is 22-26 degrees. If this norm is not observed, the leaves from the lower part of the plant will begin to fall intensively.

During the cold period, the temperature of the content should be reduced to 12 degrees

At home, the best option would be to place mint on the western or eastern windows. The south side is categorically not welcome, as the direct rays of the sun can cause negative consequences, including leaf burn.

Indoor mint loves diffused bright light . With the onset of the warm season, it is advisable to take the plant to the balcony. It is important to protect the plant from drafts. Plectranthus should not be placed near air conditioners, vents or balcony doors.

In winter, the plant needs additional lighting, so a fluorescent lamp may be needed.

Plectrantus is fed with organic and mineral fertilizers, using them alternately. Liquid type fertilizer for quick absorption should be diluted with a small amount of water.

Mint needs spring pruning to remove weak, bare branches. To form a beautiful crown of a plant, twigs should be pinched regularly.

Flowering and propagation

Potted mint begins to bloom in summer. Small spike-shaped inflorescences appear on the plant. The flowering of plectranthus takes a lot of energy and strength from him, so it is recommended to cut the flowers on time.

Young mint can be grown from cuttings or seeds . But it should be borne in mind that a plant from seeds may differ from the mother.

Plectranthus is a cross pollinated plant, so it can cross with related different species. To be sure, it is better to propagate the plant vegetatively.

Cuttings must first be rooted in sand or water. When the regrown roots get stronger, you need to take a small container or pot, lay drainage on the bottom, fill in the soil and plant the plant.

The soil for mint must be taken fat, fertile and acidified, containing peat .

To destroy pathogenic microbes, before use it is necessary to water the soil with potassium permanganate, then with water and ignite. In this soil mixture, the plant will grow quickly, as it contains a lot of oils and other nutrients.

You can plant the plant in another way. In autumn, dig a bush from open soil along with a lump. If it is large, divide it into parts so that each of them has shoots with roots.

Before planting in a pot, cut off the old shoots , leaving 5 cm from the root. This way the plant will quickly take root in a new place. New buds will appear on the bushes in two weeks. During this period, it is useful to feed mint with a solution of urea (1-2 grams per liter of water).

Pests and diseases

Plectranthus is quite resistant to diseases, however , some complications may occur during its cultivation:

How to harvest mint

Harvesting from a mint bush must be done according to the rules of so as not to harm the plant. Leaves are taken from different places on the left and right, while leaving half a centimeter of the leaf axil near the stem.

In place of the plucked leaves, young, new ones will soon appear. Carefully harvesting, they form a neat, pretty bush and stimulate the further growth of the plant.

Choice of house mint variety

The choice of mint variety depends on the specific purpose . For what exactly it will be grown: for use in cooking, for treatment or for home soap making.

Varieties of plectranthus differ in the chemical composition of essential oils, in the intensity of the smell and in its shades:

Poisonousness and beneficial properties of the plant

Indoor mint - non-poisonous plant . This flower, on the contrary, has many unusual beneficial properties.

Very often plectranthus is used in cosmetology or for medical purposes. Its magnificent qualities have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, normalize sleep and mood.

Mint tea is recommended for colds. An allergic reaction may be contraindicated .

Plectrantus has magical properties and attracts good luck and prosperity to the house.

whether it is possible to use, planting and care at home, growing features

Content

  • 0004
  • 4.1 In folk medicine
  • 4.2 Is it possible to use homemade playkratus
    • 4.2.1 How to brew and drink tea with a Playkratus
  • 4.3 Restrictions and contraindications
  • 5 How the Plant 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 is propagated 7 Care of plectranthus at home
    • 7.1 Microclimate
    • 7.2 Rules for watering
    • 7.3 Fertilizing
  • 8 Potential growing problems
    • 8.1 Why do leaves turn yellow in Plextrantus and what to do
  • 9 Pests and diseases
  • 10 How to collect homemade mint leaves
  • 11 signs and superstitions associated with a Planstrant

    • Conclusion

    room mint not only a beautiful, but also a useful houseplant. Caring for it does not require much effort, and the sheets can be used for a variety of purposes.

    Description of plectranthus

    The plant plectranthus is also called room or house mint, as well as spur flower. Basically, plectranthus is divided into erect and falling varieties, but any species and varieties have strongly branching, tetrahedral shoots. The leaves of plectranthus are closely spaced, smooth or slightly pubescent, matte or glossy, dark and light green shades.

    Plectranthus grows up to an average of 60-120 cm, and the leaves can reach a length of 10 cm. In the photo of indoor plectranthus mint, you can see that the leaves of the plant are ovate, with denticles along the edges, and look a bit like nettle leaves.

    How plectranthus blooms

    House mint produces distinctive corolla-shaped flowers with one lip turned up and the other pointing down. In the core of the flower are 4 stamens of different lengths. By shade, the flowers can be pale blue, lilac, blue or almost white - the color depends on the variety.

    Plectranthus usually blooms from late spring to late summer. Home mint flowers do not represent a special decorative value, however, a fully blooming plant looks attractive on a room windowsill.

    Important! When growing plectranthus for medicinal purposes, flowers are often cut off immediately after they appear, since they take quite a lot of strength and valuable resources from the plant.

    What is the aroma of homemade mint

    Interestingly, the smell of plectranthus usually only slightly resembles mint. More often, flower growers note that the crushed leaves smell like lungwort, camphor or chewing gum with menthol notes.

    Varieties and Species of Plectranthus

    House mint is available in many varieties. Among themselves, the varieties differ in color and size, as well as in the shade of flowers and the pattern on the leaves.

    Coleoides

    The variety is very popular and well suited for indoor growing. In height, the coleus-shaped plectrantus reaches 1 m in adulthood and with good care. The plant produces abundant branched shoots with pubescence and fleecy leaves up to 8 cm in length. The edge of the leaves is rugged, crenate.

    Some cultivars of Coleus Plectranthus have an unusual leaf pattern. A whitish border runs along their edge, beautifully emphasizing the green color of the leaf plates.

    Oertendahlii

    Oertendahlii Plectranthus is well suited for indoor cultivation due to its rather compact size. Its creeping stems reach an average of about 40 cm in length.

    The leaves of the plant are small, about 6 cm long, brownish-green, broadly ovate and rounded at the ends. On the outer side of the leaves, there are noticeable whitish stripes, and on the underside, the leaves are covered with reddish villi. A photo of Ertendal's plectranthus shows that it blooms with pale lilac or white flowers of 3 mm each.

    Southern (Australis)

    Southern plectranthus is especially easy to grow, so it is often chosen as a house plant. The stems of indoor mint are long and drooping, so the southern ampelous plectranthus is often grown in hanging pots. The leaf plates of the plant are rounded, on long petioles, smooth and glossy. The leaves are rich green in color.

    Photo of southern plectranthus shows that the shade of flowers depends on the particular variety. The plant is characterized by a faint smell - if you rub the leaves in your fingers, the aroma will be felt very weakly.

    Felt (Hadiensis)

    Felt plectrantus grows to a large size - about 75 cm in height. The stems of the plant are slightly drooping, the main shoot may become woody with age. The leaf plates of the felt plectranthus are fleshy and dull green, of a standard wide-ovate shape.

    Felt plectranthus shoots and leaves are covered with light pubescence. The plant usually blooms with purple flowers, and if homemade mint is allowed to be abundantly covered with blossoming buds, it will take on a very decorative look.

    Whorled (Verticillatus)

    The whorled appearance is quite different from most plectranthus varieties. The stems of the plant have a crimson color, which clearly highlights indoor mint. The photo of the plectranthus plant shows that the leaves of the whorled plectranthus are of a standard shape, ovate, with blunt tops and rather wide, green in color.

    The upper side of the leaves may be covered with white pubescence, which gives them a slightly silvery tint. And on the underside of the leaf plates, red streaks on the surface of the leaf are well defined.

    Ernst's caudex (Ernestii)

    Ernst's plectranthus is a short member of the house mint and grows to an average of 50 cm in height. The stems of the plant are erect, in adult house mint they can become woody. In the lower part, the shoots form rounded thickenings with age.

    The leaves of Ernst's caudex plectranthus are green, of the usual broad-ovate shape, dull and slightly pubescent on the surface. During flowering, indoor mint produces lilac-blue or white flowers.

    MonaLavender

    This variety of house mint is an upright species and produces long brownish shoots. The leaves of room mint are wide, ovate, with blunt denticles along the edge. On the front side, the leaf plates are dark green and glossy, and on the lower surface they are purple and slightly pubescent.

    Mona Lavender house mint produces light purple small flowers with blue flecks. The view is considered quite decorative - if you allow the plectranthus to bloom properly, it will become a decoration for the room.

    Fragrant (Amboinicus)

    Fragrant or scented house mint can grow up to 2 m in natural conditions, but when grown indoors usually grows to a maximum of 1 m. The shoots of the plant are straight or slightly drooping, green in color.

    The leaf blades of fragrant house mint are wide, rounded and slightly elongated, with a serrated edge. There is a slight pubescence on the petioles and on the lower surface. Fragrant indoor mint blooms with pale blue small flowers, a characteristic feature of the species is a rather strong and bright aroma.

    Oakleaf

    Oakleaf plectranthus belongs to upright species and has a non-standard form of leaf blades. Unlike most varieties, the oak-leaved plectranthus leaves are not ovate, but very similar to oak, only much more fleshy and with a silvery edge on the upper side.

    Oakleaf plectranthus also has an unusual smell. If you rub the leaf of the plant in your fingers, you can feel a pronounced coniferous aroma - there are few menthol notes in the smell of homemade mint.

    Shrub (Fruticosus)

    Potted mint of this species reaches 1 m in height, the shoots of the plant are slightly pubescent, and the leaves are wide, oval with a pointed top and rather long, up to 10 cm in length.

    Shrub plectranthus blooms with light blue small flowers, while both leaves and flowers emit a sharp smell with distinct menthol notes. This is due to the second name of the plant - mole tree. The fact is that homemade shrub mint repels moths and other insects that cannot stand the sharp mint aroma.

    Fostera or variegated (Fosteri)

    Variegated plectranthus from Southeast India is characterized by unpretentious conditions and fast growth. It is often used in indoor cultivation and is used to decorate front gardens and balconies with it. The species belongs to the horizontal plectranthus, the shoots of the plant fall down and can reach 1 m in length.

    The green oval leaves of the plant are covered with small hairs, on their surface there are large uneven white spots. Plectranthus Foster blooms with white small flowers.

    Troy's Cold

    An unusual variety of room mint is Troy's Gold. The shoots of the plant are erect, brown-brown and woody as they grow. The leaves of homemade mint have a standard round-elongated shape, the denticles along the edges of the plectranthus are weakly expressed.

    The main feature of the variety is the color of the leaves - in the Gold of Troy they are bright yellow, with a dark green pattern in the middle of the leaf. Plectranthus flowers are small and white, rather inconspicuous, but even without them, the variety is considered very decorative in indoor breeding due to the pattern on the leaves.

    Coleusblumei

    Bloom's plectrantus can grow up to 85 cm even at home with good care. The shoots of the plant are straight, closer to the roots they become woody with age. Plectranthus leaves are matte and velvety, emerald green, with an elongated pointed top and a serrated edge.

    Different varieties of Bloom's plectranthus can have green, patterned, and even crimson leaves. In home cultivation, the plant looks very decorative, which is especially important given the rather nondescript flowering of room mint.

    Ciliatus

    Creeping ciliated plectranthus reaches an average of about 60 cm in length and has pubescent purple shoots. The leaves of the plant are green, elliptical or ovate in shape, also with pubescence on the outside. The underside of the leaf plates is usually purple in color, hairs are also present, but only closer to the edge of the leaf.

    Plectranthus ciliated blooms with white or pale lilac flowers, both solitary and in small racemes. The decorativeness of a flowering plant is low, like most types of room mint.

    Reddening

    Indoor mint of this species grows on average up to 35 cm in room conditions. The stems of the plant at a young age are straight, then slightly bend down, at the roots they can become woody.

    The leaves of the blushing house mint are velvety, oblong with denticles along the edges, dark green in the upper part and lighter on the lower surface. The leaf plates are dotted with a red-orange pattern, a reddish border also runs along the edge, which is the reason for the name.

    Nico

    Nico plectranthus belongs to the drooping varieties of room mint and is distinguished by especially large leaves - up to 10 cm in length. A characteristic feature of the variety is the purple hue of the lower part of the leaf. In the upper part, the leaves of homemade mint are dark green, glossy, with a well-defined relief and fleshy.

    Plectranthus Nico looks quite decorative at home. However, some difficulties are associated with caring for the plant - homemade mint is sensitive to the irrigation regime and reacts negatively to a lack of moisture.

    Other varieties of plectranthus

    In addition to the species listed, there are other popular varieties of house mint. Their brief description will allow you to understand the main features and differences.

    Tomentosa

    This houseplant can grow up to 75 cm in height. The shoots of house mint are slightly drooping, woody with age, the leaves are usually light green and pubescent. Plectranthus Tomentosa blooms with purple small flowers.

    Venteri

    The house plant has unusual carved leaves, more reminiscent of oak leaves than mint. Plectranthus is characterized by a pronounced spruce-lemon smell with faint notes of incense.

    Variegated

    This species is divided into many varieties with a wide variety of leaf shades. Variegated house mint may have a yellow, bluish, silvery or burgundy shade of leaf plates, often a beautiful pattern is visible on the leaves.

    Silvery

    As the name of the species implies, the leaves of the plant are silver-gray, large. In the shade, the silver shade becomes more gray, so it is best to keep indoor mint on the sunny side.

    Useful properties of plectranthus room mint

    Regardless of the type and variety, room mint has a number of useful properties. It consists of glycosides and alkaloids, phenols and organic acids, essential oils and tannins.

    Therefore, indoor mint has the following properties:

    The properties of room mint are also used for pain relief.

    Plectranthus mint uses

    Mint is grown for more than just ornamental purposes. Its leaves are used for the treatment of diseases and for aromatherapy, for the preparation of sedatives and for relieving inflammation.

    In folk medicine

    Many home remedies with medicinal properties are made from the leaves of the houseplant plectranthus. Decoctions and tinctures on mint leaves are used to treat:

    Mint also has a beneficial effect on asthma, kidney, liver and bladder diseases, rheumatism and other joint ailments. Mint leaves can be applied to irritations and lesions on the skin - plectranthus will disinfect the tissues and promote healing.

    Is it possible to use homemade plectranthus mint

    Plectranthus leaves are used internally in the form of decoctions, tinctures and teas, indoor mint is beneficial in small quantities. However, dosages must be carefully monitored.

    How to make and drink plectranthus tea

    Plectranthus leaves are the easiest way to make a healing tea. There are 2 main ways of brewing:

    Important! It is not recommended to drink more than 2 cups of mint tea a day - this can lead to drowsiness or a sharp drop in blood pressure.

    Limitations and contraindications

    Although plectranthus leaves are very useful, there are some limitations to be aware of. Eating indoor mint is contraindicated:

    Plectranthus tea is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.

    How to propagate plectranthus

    There are several ways to propagate a plectranthus flower at home. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages:

    1. Cutting. You can use this method at any time of the year - several cuttings about 7 cm long are separated from an adult plant, the lower leaves are removed and placed in water with root added to it. Then the shoots are rooted in a soil consisting of peat and sand, and placed on a warm sunny windowsill. After a few weeks, with moderate watering, the cuttings will give roots. After the appearance of growth, the tops need to be pinched off, and then the shoots are transplanted into separate pots.
    2. Division of the bush. If the indoor mint has grown strongly, then in the spring you can simply divide the adult bush. To do this, they dig it out of the pot and cut the rhizome into pieces with a sharp knife. Slices are sprinkled with activated charcoal or ash to avoid rotting, delenki are planted in separate pots. You need to care for delenki in the same way as for adult plectranthus bushes.
    3. Seed propagation. The seeds of the plectranthus indoor flower are sown in April or May in a sand-peat mixture, slightly pressing them into the ground, but not sprinkled on top. The seed container is placed on a sunny windowsill in a warm place with a temperature of at least 20 degrees. After seedlings appear, plectranthus is moderately watered, keeping the soil constantly moist. It will be possible to plant the shoots a month after the emergence of shoots.

    Attention! Of all the methods, cuttings are considered the most effective - plectranthus shoots take root well when rooted and quickly give new growth.

    Planting instructions

    The best time to plant homemade mint is in April or May. The pot for plectranthus should be small - in a container that is too spacious, the soil may turn sour.

    The best for growing plectranthus is a sand-peat mixture that is well breathable and absorbs moisture, while sand and peat are mixed in equal proportions.

    When transferring purchased plectranthus to a new pot, it must be transferred together with an earthen clod. The same applies to young cuttings - they are transplanted carefully so as not to injure the roots.

    If indoor mint grows indoors, then it is permissible to plant and transplant it throughout the year - provided that the temperature in the room is kept at least 20 ° C, and it is possible to organize good lighting.

    Plectranthus care at home

    Plectranthus maintenance is quite simple. You need to follow a few basic rules of cultivation.

    Microclimate

    House mint prefers moderate temperatures. In summer, she will feel comfortable at 22 ° C, and in winter it is desirable to reduce the temperature to 15 ° C.

    Watering Rules

    Most roommint varieties prefer heavy watering and spraying. Plectranthus tolerates a short drought well, but with regular drying of the soil, it begins to wither. In winter, watering is recommended to be reduced to moderate so that the plant can go into a dormant state.

    Top dressing

    It is recommended to feed mint plectranthus in spring and summer - every 2 weeks complex mineral fertilizers in liquid form are applied to the soil. In winter, top dressing can be stopped, but if the temperature in the room remains at 20 ° C with sufficient lighting, then it is allowed to continue to fertilize - no more than once a month.

    Possible growing problems

    Violation of the rules of cultivation can lead to the fact that indoor mint begins to wither and weaken. Most often, the reasons are insufficient watering or improper lighting.

    Why Plectranthus leaves turn yellow and what to do

    The most common unpleasant symptom when growing mint is yellowing of the leaves. Among the reasons are:

    To keep plectranthus leaves green and juicy, you need to keep the soil in the pot constantly moist and make sure that the plant does not freeze in drafts. The lighting should be bright, but diffused - direct rays can burn the leaves.

    Pests and diseases

    Pests and diseases in the home are not common in mint. However, it can suffer from spider mites, aphids and scale insects, from root rot, downy mildew.

    When pests appear, the leaves of the plant are treated with a solution of laundry soap or special insecticides for garden and indoor plants. If the plant has suffered from fungal diseases, it is necessary to reconsider the irrigation regime. The rots that have appeared are fought with the help of Bordeaux liquid or fungicides, for example, Horus, Topaz and others.

    How to properly collect homemade mint leaves

    The harvesting of leaves for medicinal purposes is best done at the end of June. For harvesting, you need to choose only healthy, juicy, young leaves without spots:

    1. The leaves are cut from a house mint bush with a knife, rinsed in cold water and dried on a paper towel.
    2. After that, the leaves must be dried - do it in the fresh air.
    3. First, the raw materials are dried in the shade for 4 hours, and then they are kept in the open air for several more days at low humidity until the leaves are completely dry.
    4. It is very easy to determine that indoor mint has dried up - the leaves should not crumple, but crumble under your fingers.

    Tip! Usually, when growing plectranthus for medicinal purposes, its buds are cut off at the very beginning of flowering, so that all the nutrients get to the leaves of the plant.

    Signs and superstitions associated with plectranthus

    It is believed that homemade mint contributes to the establishment of financial prosperity in the house. According to popular beliefs, the cultivation of plectranthus attracts good luck, wealth and money.

    Superstitions also say that the very presence of room mint in the house normalizes the emotional atmosphere. The plant drives away bad thoughts and bad dreams, helps to extinguish quarrels between households.

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