Their growth behavior raises questions among hobby gardeners. Sometimes mint thrives tirelessly for many years, only to appear unexpectedly in a distant spot or not to show up at all. Is it an annual or a perennial? Find out the answer here.

Perennial by nature - but not unconditionally

From a botanical point of view, mint is one of the perennial, herbaceous lamiaceae. This assignment implies that the above-ground shoots wither in the fall. The underground roots and runners overwinter deep in the ground to sprout again the following spring. This is a matter of course for robust species such as field mint. Sensitive varieties such as banana or pineapple mint, however, will freeze to death in harsh conditions. How to prevent:

  • Cut back the dead shoots close to the ground in late autumn
  • cover the planting site with leaf soil, needle brushwood or straw
  • Place the mint in the pot in front of the south wall on wood or styrofoam
  • wrap the planter with bubble wrap or jute

It is important to note that the winter protection must be removed in good time. As soon as the temperatures permanently exceed the zero-degree mark, there is a risk of rot and mold formation under a cover.

Water mint in winter

Mint cannot play its trump card as a perennial plant if it dies of thirst in winter. This danger looms when it freezes in bright sunshine without a blanket of snow spreading. Since the roots now have no water either above or below ground, they are watered on a frost-free day.

Consistently contain the urge to spread - this is how it works

Her profile reveals that mint can live up to 25 years. During this long dwelling time in the garden, it spreads its vigorous stolons to suddenly thrive far from its allotted spot. Hobby gardeners who want to keep the reins in their green realm can set limits to the invasion in this way:

  • Always plant mints in the bed with a root barrier
  • Place young plants in the soil in a mortar bucket without a bottom
  • alternatively surrounded by a rhizome barrier made of stable geotextile

tips and tricks

On mints without a root barrier in the bed, the foothills should be regularly removed with a spade. These rhizome parts are far too good to be disposed of in the compost, because they are excellent for propagation. Simply plant in the tub or at the new location and a young plant will thrive.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden