From our perspective as mint plants, light is life. Outdoors, we bask in the generous energy of the sun. Indoors, under your care, the grow light becomes our sun. We require a specific spectrum of light to perform photosynthesis effectively. We thrive best under full-spectrum lights that mimic natural sunlight, providing both blue wavelengths for healthy leaf growth and red wavelengths, which we also utilize. Please position the light source 6 to 12 inches above our tops; any farther and we will become leggy as we strain toward the energy source, any closer and you risk scorching our tender leaves. Provide us with 12-14 hours of this artificial sunlight daily to satisfy our photosynthetic appetite.
Our roots demand a well-draining growing medium. We despise having our roots constantly wet, as this suffocates us and leads to rot. A lightweight potting mix, perhaps amended with perlite or vermiculite, is ideal. It allows our roots to breathe while retaining enough moisture for us to drink. While we are not heavy feeders, we do appreciate consistent nutrition to support our vigorous growth. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied at half-strength every 4-6 weeks during our primary growing phase (under the lights) is sufficient. Too much fertilizer will lead to rapid but weak growth with less concentrated flavor, which is not in either of our best interests.
We prefer the same comfortable temperatures that you do, ideally between 65°F and 70°F (18°C - 21°C). Avoid placing us in drafty areas or directly next to heat vents, as extreme temperature fluctuations cause us stress. Humidity is another crucial factor. The indoor environment, especially in winter, can be very dry. While we are somewhat adaptable, we truly appreciate a moderate humidity level. You can help by occasionally misting the air around us (not directly on our leaves for prolonged periods) or placing our pot on a pebble tray filled with water. This prevents our leaf edges from becoming dry and crispy.
Our growth habit is naturally vigorous and spreading. Regular harvesting is not something we fear; it is an activity we encourage. When you pinch off the tips of our stems, it signals us to become bushier and fuller, branching out from the node just below your pinch. This prevents us from becoming tall and spindly. Always harvest with sharp, clean scissors or your fingers, and never remove more than one-third of our total foliage at once. This allows us to recover quickly and continue producing the fragrant leaves you desire. This cycle of growth and harvest, supported by consistent light and water, allows us to thrive indoors indefinitely.
