How to Propagate Mint

Here's a quick comment about two ways to get free mint plants after just 4 weeks of little to no effort.

This is a variety of mint called orange mint. I like it because it's milder that regular mint and it has a citrusy aroma....which makes it PERFECT for my summer cocktail favorites....mojitos and screwdrivers.

Instructions for propagating mint:

Pick off a few 6 inch sprigs of mint from the main plant. Place them in a small cup half-filled with water and place on a window sill. Change the water every two days for 2-3 weeks. Plant each sprig in a pot and in less than a month, new mint leaves will begin to grow. That's how to propagate mint.

In the photo above, each skinny white root is the new. They grow from the nodes.

Easiest way to Propagate Mint

Perhaps the easiest way to propagate mint is to place the 6 inch sprig directly into soil. I put a few clumps of mint into this pot and in two months there was twice as much mint.

(before)

(after)

Here's an August photo of more orange mint, all from the same 2006 plant. If not contained, it will invade grass. I always keep it contained. Since it spreads by way of underground runners, I suggest checking to make sure it doesn't pop up on the other side of fences and bricks.