Pruning can actually encourage growth. This is not a destructive thing to do to your mint plant. If you don’t have shears or don’t like to use them, you can also prune mint with your fingertips. This process will take a bit longer, but is just as effective. With your fingertips, pinch off about one third of the length of the stem. Use your fingernails when pinching the stems to create a clean break. It may be easier to use your fingertips if you’re pruning a small amount of mint indoors. You might also want to use scissors or a sharp knife.
Shape the plant so it does not have too many leaves and shoots pouring over the plant. Focus on trimming around the plant. Make sure the plant isn’t sprawling too far over the side of the pot.
You can freeze mint. Pick through your mint leaves and remove any damaged leaves. Pat dry the mint leaves with a towel. Cut up the mint leaves and remove the stems. Place about 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaves in various compartments of an ice cube tray, fill with water, and place in the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, place them in an airtight container or bag and leave them in the freezer. Frozen mint will keep for three months. You can also vacuum seal mint. Once again, pick through mint to remove damaged leaves and pat the plant dry. Place the mint in a bag and label it with the date. Use a vacuum sealer, which can buy online, to vacuum seal the bag. Each vacuum sealer operates slightly differently, so you’ll have to follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure to trim your mint carefully each time it needs to be cut back. Remember to trim the mint so it grows in the rough shape of the pot you’re using. If you’re trimming mint outside, make sure to trim mint so mint plants do not overgrow your garden. While you can use shears to prune mint, small plants can easily be pruned just using your fingers.
Fill a pot with potting soil mixed with a heavy amount of compost. Take the stem you cut from the original mint plant and slide it into the soil. You can also place mint stems in a glass of water. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line or they will rot. Eventually, roots will start to grow.
If you want to plant your mint outside, dig a hole at least 5 inches deep, and place a container (such as a pot or a mesh bag) into the hole. Then, plant your mint inside of the container and pack dirt on top of it. The container will keep the roots from spreading to the entire garden. If you want to plant your mint indoors, purchase a pot to plant your mint in. Place the pot near a window where it will get sunlight throughout the day. Don’t place the plant near a heat source. [6] X Research source
Do not fertilize your mint often. Fertilizing it every 3 to 4 weeks should be enough. Choose a fertilizer that’s low in salt, as salt can cause the tips of mint leaves to turn brown.
Make sure to plant mint where it can receive sunlight. When planting mint in pots, make sure you can move the pots near direct sunlight. Do not choose pots that are too big to fit on a porch or patio. While it’s best to grow mint outdoors, you can plant it inside. If you choose to do so, pick an area where your mint will be consistently exposed to morning light. You should also keep it away from anything like a heater or furnace, as this can dry mint out. Make sure the pot you use to plant mint is free from cracks. Mint roots grow fast, and they will spread through the crack of a damaged pot.
