From our perspective as mint plants, we are generally resilient and eager to thrive. However, when our basic needs are not met, we will show clear signs of distress. If your mint is dying, it is trying to communicate a problem. Here are the most common issues from our point of view.
The most common threat we face is root rot, caused by excessive moisture. While we enjoy consistently moist soil, our roots are not aquatic. When planted in heavy, non-draining soil or a pot without drainage holes, water accumulates around our root system. This creates an anaerobic environment, suffocating our roots and making them susceptible to fungal diseases. You will see our leaves turn yellow and feel soft and limp. The entire plant will wilt despite the wet soil, and the stems may become black and mushy at the base.
On the opposite extreme, we can quickly become dehydrated. We have shallow root systems and large, soft leaves that lose water rapidly, especially in warm, sunny conditions. If the soil is allowed to dry out completely, we will wilt dramatically. Our leaves will become dry, crispy, and brown, starting at the edges. Without a quick drink, this wilting will progress from a temporary droop to permanent damage and death, as our cellular structures collapse from the lack of water.
We are sun-loving plants at heart. Without adequate light—at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily—we become weak and leggy. Our stems stretch out thin and spindly as we desperately reach for a light source, and our leaf production slows significantly. Conversely, being blasted by intense, all-day sun in a hot climate can also cause stress. Our leaves may become pale, scorched, or brown at the tips as we lose water faster than our roots can absorb it, essentially giving us a sunburn.
We are vigorous growers, and our rhizomatic roots quickly fill the space they are given. When we become pot-bound, our roots form a tight, tangled mass that can no longer effectively absorb water or nutrients. Even with regular watering, moisture may run straight down the sides of the pot without hydrating the root ball, leaving us parched. Our growth will be severely stunted, and we will show signs of nutrient deficiency, like yellowing leaves, because there is no room left in the soil to sustain us.
While our aromatic oils deter many pests, we are not immune. Spider mites, aphids, and mint rust fungus are common adversaries. Spider mites suck the sap from our leaves, causing them to look stippled, yellow, and dry. Aphids cluster on our tender new growth, excreting a sticky residue and weakening us. Mint rust is a fungal disease that appears as bright orange, rusty-looking spots on our undersides of leaves, crippling our ability to photosynthesize and ultimately killing the affected parts.
