As a horticulture student I mainly studied crops and cultivation techniques. It fascinates me how many diverse plants can grow from small, nearly identical seeds. Favourite fruit: blueberries, grapes, raspberries, pears Favourite vegetables: mushrooms, peppers, kohlrabi, onions, garlic.
Mint is a well-known aromatic herb that is commonly used in drinks and desserts. Find out everything you need to know about overwintering and propagating mint.
Around the year 800, Charlemagne ordered that four types of mint be planted in the gardens of his empire. Mint, on the other hand, has not been forgotten and is still grown in many gardens today. Read on to find out how to grow the herb over the winter, how to make more of it, and if mint is harmful to pets.
With its cool, refreshing flavor, mint is a versatile herb that can enhance both savory dishes and sweet treats. But mint is primarily considered a warm season crop. When winter temperatures arrive, you may wonder if mint will continue growing or survive the colder conditions at all.
The good news is mint is cold hardy and can often withstand freezing winter temps But its growth does slow dramatically during this dormant period Certain care is needed to help mint successfully overwinter and return healthy in spring,
In this article, we’ll look at how winter affects mint, which types are most winter hardy, and tips to keep your mint thriving through winter so you can enjoy its bounty the following growing season.
How Does Winter Affect Mint?
Mint is a perennial plant, meaning it can live for multiple years. Like other perennials, mint enters a dormant period during winter when its above ground growth dies back. But the plant’s roots remain alive underground.
Here’s an overview of what happens to mint as seasons change
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Spring Temperatures warming signal mint to start regrowing New leaves and stems emerge from the roots
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Summer: During peak growing season, mint thrives in warm weather. Frequent harvesting encourages more new growth.
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Fall: Cooling temps cause mint’s top growth to slow and eventually die back. Energy is focused on the roots.
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Winter: In cold weather, mint goes fully dormant. It survives via underground rhizomes but above ground foliage dies off.
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Spring: Warmer weather again reactivates the roots to start regrowing new stems and leaves.
So while mint goes dormant in winter, the roots typically survive the cold. This allows regrowth the following season.
Do All Mint Varieties Survive Winter?
There are over 15 species of mint as well as countless hybrids and cultivars. They vary in their cold hardiness and winter survival rates.
Some of the more winter hardy types include:
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Peppermint: Very cold tolerant. Often overwinters well with mulch.
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Spearmint: Hardy variety that can withstand freezing temps, especially with added protection.
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Ginger mint: Relatively hardy and can survive cold winters in most climates.
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Apple mint: Moderately hardy. Can live through light frosts but benefits from winter protection.
More tender mint varieties that may require extra protection when overwintering include orange mint, pineapple mint, grapefruit mint, and banana mint.
Check with local resources to find out which types grow best in your specific area. The exact winter hardiness of a mint variety also depends on local climate conditions.
Caring for Mint Through Winter Months
To help your mint not just survive winter but return strong and vigorous in spring, provide a little extra care leading up to and during the colder months:
Prune Back Before Winter
Pruning mint in late fall encourages new growth the following season. Cut stems back to just above soil level after foliage dies back. Removing woody growth also prevents mint from spreading out of control.
Add Mulch Around Roots
Apply 2-4 inches of shredded bark, leaves, straw, or other organic mulch around mint plants. This insulates roots and prevents soil freeze/thaw cycles.
Protect from Wind and Frost
Shield mint from harsh winds, which can damage roots. Cover with frost cloth if extended freezing temps are expected.
Water Infrequently
Overwatering leads to root rot in cool weather. Water just once a month unless soil is very dry. Moisture needs are minimal.
Check for Pests
Inspect leaves for pests like aphids or signs of disease. Treat any issues promptly to keep problems in check.
Transplant Container Grown Mint Indoors
Move potted mints to an indoor space with cool temps and limited watering to help them go dormant.
With a little preparation and care, your mint should survive winter even in cold climates. Just avoid fertilizing, frequent pruning, or overwatering during this dormant time.
When and How Fast Does Mint Grow Back in Spring?
Once temperatures climb above freezing in spring, dormant mint roots will be triggered to start sending up new growth again. Here’s what to expect:
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Early spring: Small new shoots begin emerging within a few weeks of frosts ending as soil warms up.
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Mid spring: Leaves unfurl and plants start rapidly regrowing. Frequent rain and warmth fuels fast regrowth.
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Late spring: Mint is full size and vigorous. Regular harvesting helps keep growth maintained.
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Exact timing varies based on your climate. But mint generally bounces back quickly once dormancy ends in springtime.
Harvesting Mint in Winter
While mint goes dormant in winter, you can still selectively harvest small amounts for culinary use. Here are some tips:
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Harvest just a few leaves per stem, leaving most intact. Never harvest more than 1/3 of a plant at once.
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Target the most vigorous, healthiest stems when harvesting in winter. Leave struggling stems alone.
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Use sharp scissors or pruners for clean cuts that won’t damage the plant. Avoid tearing.
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Harvest early in the day after any frost has melted for best flavor.
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Rinse off any dirt but don’t soak mint leaves meant for storage. Pat dry thoroughly before storing.
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Air dry harvested leaves out of sunlight before freezing, or use a dehydrator or very low oven.
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Store dried mint leaves in sealed containers in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate fresh leaves.
With careful selective harvesting, you can gather enough mint for culinary use all winter long. Just be cautious not to overharvest during this slower growth period.
Troubleshooting Mint Plants in Winter
Here are some common winter problems you may encounter with mint and how to address them:
Low growth or failure to regrow in spring: Ensure mulch is not too heavy, smothering the plant. Water more prior to sprouting if soil is very dry.
Wilting, browning leaves: Likely caused by overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between infrequent winter waterings.
Pests: Check under leaves for pests like spider mites or aphids. Wipe away with damp cloth or use horticultural oil.
Rotting roots or stems: Indicates overly wet soil. Avoid waterlogging and improve drainage for healthier roots.
Leggy growth: Prune back any lanky stems in early spring to encourage bushier regrowth.
With proper cold season care, troubleshooting mint problems is rarely needed. Focus on providing good drainage, minimal water, and protection from wind and heavy freezes.
Enjoying Mint Year Round
Wondering if mint will grow in winter? Have no fear – this aromatic herb can absolutely withstand cold temps and keep going strong. With its vigorous growing nature, mint will return reliably each spring after going dormant for the winter months.
Just remember to plant winter hardy varieties like peppermint and spearmint. Prune back, add mulch, and protect from harsh elements in fall. Water sparingly over winter. Then enjoy fresh regrowth once temperatures warm again in spring! With a little seasonal care, you can incorporate mint’s cool flavor into recipes and drinks all year long.
Is mint poisonous to cats or dogs?
Mint is generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals, with one exception: Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). Pulegone is the active ingredient in pennyroyal mint. Too much of it can kill you by irritating your digestive tract and making you vomit, have high blood pressure, or become paralyzed like you’re under anesthesia. The wild pennyroyal is considered endangered in the UK.
When using mint essential oil on pets, exercise caution because it might cause nausea and vomiting.
Were you aware that you can eat mint all year? Read our article on how to keep mint fresh by drying or freezing it.
Mint: origin and characteristics
The mint genus (Mentha) includes more than twenty different species. Mints are labiates, which means they are related to other well-known garden herbs like thyme (Thymus), English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Most mint species are native to parts of the northern hemisphere with temperate climates like ours.
Mint is an herbaceous perennial that grows to an average height of 0. 5 to 1 m, depending on the species. The inflorescences are usually false whorls, which are characteristic of labiates, as are the bell-shaped, tubular individual flowers. Depending on the species, mint flowers between May and October in white, pink, or purple. Mint flowers have a medium to high nectar value and are particularly important for butterflies. After flowering, the flowers produce seed pods, which open when ripe to reveal four individual seeds. In the wild, mint plants often grow near water, so the seeds are usually spread by water. This is called hydrochory.
Mint leaves are egg- to elliptical-shaped and usually have serrations on them. They smell very strong, and the smell depends on the species. There are more than a thousand years of history behind this plant. It was first grown as an herb or to make tea. Mint is a hardy plant that will do well in your garden even if you have never gardened before. Find out how to plant mint in your garden in our dedicated article.
What is the difference between peppermint and mint? First, mint (Mentha x piperita) refers to the whole genus, while peppermint is just one species in this genus. Peppermint stands out from other mints due its sharper flavour.
Mint is usually very resilient to cold temperatures and requires no special protection. The herb is hardy down to -15 °C. However, to be on the safe side when overwintering mint, you can also protect it from frost. Here’s how: First, protect the plant over the winter by leaving the parts that die off in the fall on it. Then, cut them back in the spring. In addition, cover the plant with twigs or leaves. To overwinter mint in pots, wrap the pot with garden fleece to prevent the pot from freezing through. Learn how to take care of mint properly here.
As with many plants, sowing is one way to propagate mint. Although not all species can be grown by seed, mint seeds for specific species are commercially available. To save your own mint seeds, cut off the seed stalks that have died and lay them out on kitchen towel or newspaper to dry. After a few days, rub the seed heads a little to collect the seeds. Dry the seeds a little longer before storing them in a cool, dark place.
The plant also forms fleshy roots, called stolons. Dig these up after the flowering period, divide and plant in new homes. Mint often grows runners. Use a spade to cut these off from the mother plant as soon as they have strong roots. Then transplant to new homes and water well.
If you already have a larger plant, you can also propagate it by division. To do this, use a spade to cut off a piece of the mint and move it to a different spot.
Another quick and promising way to propagate mint is with cuttings. Cut the plant’s shoot tips off in late spring. These are called “head cuttings,” and you should put them in good soil, like our Plantura Organic Herb Soil. Mix the soil with about 20% sand to loosen it a little. If the humidity levels are high, the new mint will take root within two to three weeks.
Tip: Find out how to harvest and cut mint here.
How To Overwinter Mint in Containers Balconia Garden
FAQ
How to keep mint plants alive in winter?
What temperature is too cold for mint?
Can I grow mint all year-round?
Will mint come back every year?
Can mint grow in winter?
If you live somewhere where it gets cold over winter, but doesn’t freeze, your mint should be fine. You’ll notice that the plant is “dying back”. This doesn’t mean it’s actually dying, though. Rather, it’s going dormant for the winter and isn’t growing anymore. Don’t worry, the leaves will begin to grow back in the springtime.
Does Mint grow back if left outside?
Mint does die back if left outside in the winter, but it will survive and the leaves will grow back in the spring. That being said, leaves will not grow on your mint if it is left outside for too long in the winter. Mint has a high frost tolerance, so it will survive longer than many other plants.
Can you grow mint plants indoors?
You can also grow the plants indoors for fresh leaves throughout the winter. Alternatively, you could plant your Mint plants in their own raised bed. Ensure the soil is consistently moist, especially during hot, dry weather. Mulch lightly to retain moisture and keep the leaves clean.
Will mint plants re-emerge after winter?
Yes, mint plants will regrow after winter. They may die back to the ground during winter, but they will re-emerge in the spring. To encourage new growth, prune the plants back in the early spring before new growth appears. This will encourage the plant to produce new shoots and leaves.