How to Grow Mint Indoors Successfully

Mint grows best indoors in a bright, cool position with good air circulation, away from both harsh all-day sun and deep shade. This herb prefers slightly moist compost, its own pot and regular harvesting, as each properly made cut encourages fresh shoots and more fragrant leaves.

Where is the best place to put mint?

The ideal spot is beside a well-lit window, where the plant can receive strong light for a few hours each day. A window with gentle morning sunshine is usually more suitable than a very hot sill exposed to intense direct afternoon sun.

In a flat, mint generally thrives in a bright kitchen, a sheltered balcony or an area close to a glass door. If its stems become long, thin and widely spaced, it is probably getting less light than it needs.

How much light and water does mint need?

Mint can cope with bright indirect light and a few hours of direct sunshine, but it loses vigour in a dark corner. Indoors, a practical aim is to provide 4 to 6 hours of intense brightness daily, turning the pot occasionally so it develops evenly.

These signs can help you fine-tune its care:

• wilted leaves and dry compost indicate too little water;
• yellow leaves and permanently wet soil point to overwatering;
• very long stems suggest insufficient light;
• small, less aromatic leaves may mean the plant is not getting enough brightness;
• mould on the surface indicates poor ventilation or excessive moisture.

How should you water mint without weakening it?

Mint enjoys consistent moisture, but it does not tolerate waterlogged roots. Water it when the top layer of compost starts to dry out, keeping the soil moist to the touch but never saturated.

Mint in a pot needs drainage holes and a saucer that is always free of standing water. A light compost rich in organic matter, with good moisture retention, helps keep the leaves fresh without creating conditions that encourage root rot.

How can you stop mint taking over other pots?

Mint spreads through its roots and trailing stems, so it should not share a container with delicate herbs. Even indoors, it can fill all the available space and compete for water, light and nutrients.

To keep it under control, follow these steps:

• grow mint in its own pot;
• avoid shared planters with basil, parsley or rosemary;
• prune stems that begin to trail over neighbouring pots;
• divide the plant once the pot becomes overcrowded;
• replace some of the compost when growth starts to weaken.

How do you harvest mint to make it bushier?

Correct harvesting involves cutting the tips of the stems just above a pair of leaves. This encourages the plant to produce side shoots, making the pot denser and less leggy in appearance.

The most fragrant leaves develop when mint receives enough light, the right amount of water and frequent pruning before flowering. In a separate pot near a bright window, with moist but not waterlogged compost, the plant grows abundantly and retains a strong aroma for teas, juices and fresh recipes.