How to Propagate Mint: 3 Tips for Propagating Mint

Mint is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family and Mentha genus of plants. The mint family is a group of hardy perennial herbs found all over North America. Most types of mint can be used as ground cover, as an indispensable culinary herb, and even as a therapeutic medicine.

Follow this step-by-step guide to propagate mint from stem cuttings.

1. 1. Prepare a cutting. Using sharp garden shears, take a five-inch cutting from the top growth of a healthy, vibrant mint plant. Remove the lower leaves from the stem and trim the cutting just below the newest leaf nodes.
2. 2. Place the mint stem in a glass of water. Keep it on your kitchen counter or on a sunny windowsill. Bright indirect light—as opposed to direct sunlight—will ensure that the mint leaves do not get burnt or dry out. After a couple of weeks, a decent root system should form.
3. 3. Plant your mint cutting. Acquire a small pot with drainage holes and fill it with organic potting soil. Place the roots of your new mint plant in the soil, and gently pat the soil around the base of the plant. Keep your potted mind plant in a sunny spot in your home. Alternatively, you can plant mint directly into your herb garden or garden bed.

Consider these tips when propagating mint plants.

1. 1. Dip mint roots in rooting hormone. Though not necessary, an application of rooting hormone can help your new mint plant survive the transition from propagation to planting. Rooting hormone helps plants produce new growth and can make the transition to a new home more successful.
2. 2. Trim off new leaves after planting. While your plant was growing new roots, it likely also sprouted new leaves. Remove a few sets of leaves near the top of the plant to help encourage new, dense growth.
3. 3. Prune mint plants in your herb garden. Your new mint plant will do well alongside other perennial herbs such as basil, oregano, and rosemary, but keep in mind that mint is a voracious grower and can have a tendency to crowd out slower-growing plants. Prune your mint plant regularly to manage its growth.

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