Gardening
Herbs
Growing this fresh herb from cuttings is perfect for beginner gardeners.
By
Heather Bien
Heather Bien
Heather Bienis an expert decor writer for The Spruce. She splits her time between Washington, D.C. and Locust Hill, VA, receiving her B.A. from the University of Virginia. Her bylines include Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, HelloGiggles, StyleBlueprint, The Knot, MindBodyGreen, and The Everygirl.
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Published on 01/23/25
Mint has a reputation for being one of the most enthusiastic growers in the garden. It spreads easily, often taking over garden beds and treading into invasive territory. But that eager-growing habit also means that it's the perfect herb to try out your propagation skills. You can easily propagate mint, growing new plants to share with friends and family.
And, if you're the one hoping for a new mint plant without a trip to the nursery, it shouldn't be hard to find a cutting.
"If you ask any gardener, it's likely they have way too much mint in their garden and they'd be happy to share with you," says Ren Elizabeth, gardener and blogger at Eco Friendly Homestead.Here's how to propagate mint to grow new plants.
Meet the Expert
Ren Elizabeth is a gardener and blogger at Eco Friendly Homestead.
How to Propagate Mint
Mint is incredibly easy to propagate in just a few quick steps:
- Select a sprig of mint that looks lush and healthy. Choose a sprig with vibrant green leaves, particularly at the top.
- Cut the sprig from the plant using clean, sharp scissors, carefully removing the cutting from just below a leaf node. This is the place where leaves connect to the stem.
- Remove all leaves from the bottom third of the stem, leaving only those healthy looking leaves at the top of the cutting
- If you want to give your mint cutting an extra boost, Elizabeth says, "you can add in some rooting hormone, but it's not a necessary step." If you choose to do this, dip the stem in rooting hormone before moving on to the next step.
- Submerge the cutting in a small jar of fresh water. Make sure none of the leaves are touching the water. You may need to use a pair of popsicle sticks to prop the leaves up out of the water. Place the jar in a sunny window.
Elizabeth explains that within a few short weeks, you should start to see small root hairs forming at the base of the stem. These will quickly grow, indicating your mint is ready to start its own chapter as a new plant.
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Tip
For an even quicker method to propagate mint, you can also cut a stem of mint just below a leaf node or take a sprig from the soil. "For the highest rate of success, you'll want some in-tact root material from the mint plant. Look for a stem with at least a few root hairs on it," Elizabeth says. Stick the cutting into a pot with moist soil. It should begin to take root, though propagating in water is generally considered a more foolproof method.
How to Plant Rooted Mint Cuttings
Within a few weeks, you'll notice that the root growth on your mint has reached a point where it appears to be viable to grow on its own.
"When the root hairs are around one inch in length, you can plant your mint cutting up to the top leaves in a container," Elizabeth says.
Make sure you use fresh potting soil that is adequately moist. Keep the new plants in indirect sunlight for the first several weeks to let them adjust to their new home. Continue to water the mint regularly so they soil stays consistently moist.
Elizabeth's biggest tip, however, isn't anything to do with enabling the mint to thrive—it generally does that on its own. Rather, she has a warning to prevent your new plant from taking over your garden.
"As someone who has made the mistake of planting mint directly into my garden soil, please do not do this unless you would like the mint to take over your garden for all of eternity," Elizabeth says.
FAQ
Is mint difficult to propagate?
Mint is extraordinarily easy to propagate! All it takes is one cutting to grow a new mint plant.
Is there a best variety of mint to propagate?
While most mint varieties propagate easily, spearmint is a favorite of many gardeners. It takes root quickly and is a versatile herb to have in the kitchen. Other popular varieties include peppermint, chocolate mint, and basil mint.
How do you know when a mint cutting is ready to plant in soil?
A mint cutting is ready to plant in soil when it's developed several roots, all at least a few inches long.
Can I grow mint from store-bought mint?
Yes, you can grow mint from store-bought mint just as you would from a mint cutting from your garden. Use the same steps, and you'll have rooted mint cuttings ready to plant in no time!
Is mint invasive?
Mint is often considered invasive in the garden, and it's best to plant mint in its own container where it cannot spread beyond the boundaries of the planter. If it's planted with other herbs, it may choke out those plants.