What You Need

  • A pot at least 20cm wide with drainage holes
  • Potting mix (not garden soil — it is too dense)
  • A mint plant or cutting (supermarket mint works perfectly)
  • A sunny windowsill (at least 4–6 hours of light)
  1. 1

    Choose the right pot

    Mint spreads aggressively — growing it in a pot is actually the best way to contain it. Use a pot at least 20cm wide with drainage holes. Mint hates sitting in waterlogged soil.

  2. 2

    Plant it up

    Fill the pot with a good quality potting mix. Plant the mint so the crown is level with the soil surface. Firm down gently and water well.

  3. 3

    Put it in a bright spot

    Mint prefers bright indirect light rather than harsh direct sun which can scorch the leaves. A windowsill that gets morning sun is ideal. It tolerates lower light better than most herbs.

  4. 4

    Water regularly but do not overwater

    Mint likes moist soil but not wet soil. Check the top 2cm — water when it starts to dry out. In warm conditions this may be daily; in cooler months, every 2–3 days.

  5. 5

    Harvest regularly

    This is the most important step for keeping indoor mint productive. Pinch or cut stems just above a leaf pair rather than pulling leaves off. Regular harvesting prevents it going woody and encourages bushy new growth.

  6. 6

    Cut it back hard when it flowers

    When mint flowers (goes to seed), the leaves become less flavourful. Cut the whole plant back by two-thirds when you see flower buds. It will regrow quickly with fresh, flavourful leaves.

Propagating from supermarket mintPut a few sprigs from a supermarket bunch in a glass of water on a windowsill. Roots develop within 1–2 weeks. Once roots are 3–4cm long, pot them up. Free mint plants indefinitely.

Growing from a Supermarket Bunch

Supermarket mint is usually several cuttings bundled together. Most of these will root and grow if potted up. Remove any rubber bands, split into individual stems, and plant 3–4 per pot for an instant bushy plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common causes are: overwatering (most common — check the roots are not sitting in wet soil), too little light, or being pot-bound. If the plant has been in the same pot for over a year, try repotting into fresh compost in a larger pot.
Yes — mint dies back outdoors in winter but survives if brought inside before the first frost. Cut it back by half when you bring it in, place on a bright windowsill and it will continue growing through winter at a slower pace.
Spearmint is the standard culinary mint — used in cooking, drinks and desserts. Peppermint has a stronger, more menthol flavour and is better for teas. Apple mint and chocolate mint are interesting variations worth trying.