How to Propagate Mint From Cuttings

Growing mint has many benefits. First and foremost, mint is a versatile herb used in various dishes and drinks, adding a refreshing and unique flavor. Additionally, mint has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, such as aiding digestion and relieving headaches. 

Growing mint is relatively easy, as it can thrive in various soil types and doesn't require much maintenance. However, it is essential to note that mint can be invasive, so it's important to plant it in a container or in a designated area of your garden to prevent it from taking over other plants. Growing mint is a rewarding experience that can add flavor and health benefits to your life.

Propagating mint typically involves taking stem cuttings from an existing mint plant and rooting them in water or soil. This method allows you to create new plants from a parent plant and can be a cost-effective way to expand your mint garden. Mint is a hardy plant that is easy to propagate, making it a popular choice for home gardeners.

Here are the steps to propagate mint cuttings in water:

- Choose a healthy mint plant and cut a stem that is about 4-6 inches long.

-Remove the lower leaves from the stem, leaving only a few leaves at the top.

- Fill a glass or jar with water and place the mint stem in the water, ensuring the bottom of the stem is submerged.

-Place the glass or jar in a location with bright, indirect sunlight.

- Change the water every 2-3 days to keep it fresh and prevent mold from forming.

- After a week or two, roots should begin to grow from the bottom of the stem.

- Once the roots are about 1-2 inches long, you can transplant the mint cutting into the soil.

- Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with a well-draining potting mix.

- Make a hole in the soil and carefully place the rooted mint cutting in the hole.

- Water the mint plant thoroughly and place it in a location with bright, indirect sunlight.

- Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and in a few weeks, your mint plant should start growing new leaves and thriving in its new home.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to propagate mint cuttings in soil:

- Take a healthy and mature mint plant and cut a few stems that are about 5-6 inches long.

- Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem and keep a few leaves at the top.

- Dip the bottom end of the stem in rooting hormone powder (optional, but it can increase the success rate of rooting).

- Fill a small pot with well-draining soil and make a hole in the center with a pencil or finger.

- Insert the stem into the hole in the soil and gently press the ground around the stem to hold it in place.

- Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy.

- Cover the pot with a plastic bag or a clear plastic container to create a humid environment to help the cutting root.

- Place the pot in a bright, indirect light location, but avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the cutting.

- Check the soil moisture regularly and water as needed to keep it moist but not soggy.

- After 2-3 weeks, check for roots by gently tugging on the stem. If it resists, it means the roots have formed.

- Once the roots have formed, remove the plastic cover and gradually acclimate the plant to lower humidity and more light.

- Transplant the mint cutting in a larger pot or outdoors in a garden once it has grown enough and is established. 

I had some wild mint growing on my property & decided to give propagation a try. I've never propagated plants before, but I was excited to try it out!

I used both methods (water & soil) & my mint is beginning to grow roots!

This has given me the confidence to propagate more plants in the future!