Some of the finest mint varieties thrive in tubs thanks to their graceful, compact growth. The enchanting strawberry mint is one of them or the pretty pineapple mint. Find out here about all relevant aspects regarding plants and care in pots.
Exit of the ice saints heralds the planting season
When the 'Cold Sophie' says goodbye in mid-May, the time window opens for planting mint in pots. Choose a container with a diameter of at least 30 centimeters. A floor opening for water drainage is mandatory. Loose herb soil is suitable as a substrate, optimized with compost, perlite, sand and horn shavings.
- a drainage made of grit or expanded clay (€19.73) over the water outlet prevents waterlogging
- fill the substrate in the pot up to half or two-thirds of the way up
- insert the potted young plant in the middle, up to the lower pair of leaves
- press the soil down and water generously
Place mint in the pot in a partially shaded spot on the balcony or in the garden. Ideally, it should be airy there so that rainwater can dry off quickly. The plant should not be exposed to the blazing midday sun.
It is this care that counts
In the limited substrate volume of a planter, mint requires more intensive care than in the bed. How to handle the cultivation in the pot correctly:
- keep the substrate slightly moist at all times
- allow the soil to dry out in the meantime
- empty a coaster immediately
- fertilize weekly with organic liquid fertilizer
- dose in half concentration
In addition to the regular harvest, the shoots are cut off 10 centimeters above the ground shortly before flowering. This gardening trick preserves the aroma in the fresh shoots, which then thrive. After the first frost, cut back the mint close to the ground, cover the substrate with brushwood and wrap the pot in bubble wrap. This way the mint will safely overwinter until next year.
tips and tricks
Would you like to enjoy fresh mint throughout the winter? Then plant Kentucky Spearmint (Mentha x cordifolia) in a pot on the balcony. Brought indoors early in the fall, this variety delivers an aromatic harvest during the cold season on a sunny, warm window seat.
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