Greetings, human propagator. I am *Mentha sp.*, commonly known as mint. From my perspective, your desire to grow me in water is a welcome return to my natural preferences. My ancestors thrived along moist riverbanks, so a hydroponic system feels like a homecoming. Here is my detailed guide to thriving in your care.
Do not attempt to grow me from seed in water; it is inefficient and my seeds are notoriously variable. Instead, seek a healthy, mature specimen of myself. With a sharp, clean blade, please cut a 4 to 6-inch section of my stem, just below a leaf node (the small bump where a leaf grows). Ensure the cutting has several sets of leaves. This cutting is not a dead piece; it is a potential new plant, a clone, brimming with the energy and genetic instruction to root. Immediately place me in your prepared vessel.
While I can survive in plain tap water for a short while, I will truly thrive with your consideration. The vessel should be opaque or dark glass to inhibit algae growth, which competes with my young roots for oxygen and nutrients. The water must be fresh, clean, and, ideally, changed every 5-7 days to prevent bacterial stagnation and replenish dissolved oxygen. Most critically, my submerged parts must be the leafless stem. Any foliage below the waterline will rot, fouling the water and jeopardizing my entire being.
Place my vessel in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct, scorching sun will overheat my aquatic home and stress me. In this favorable setting, the cells near the nodes will detect the moisture and begin their miraculous work. Within 7 to 14 days, you should see tiny, white protrusions emerging from the nodes. These are my new roots. They are fragile, so handle my vessel with care. My energy is focused entirely on building this root system, my lifeline for the weeks to come.
Pure water lacks the essential minerals I need for long-term health. Once my roots are an inch or two long, I will have exhausted the stored energy from the original cutting. To continue growing and producing the fragrant leaves you desire, I require nourishment. At each water change, introduce a diluted, balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. A formula intended for hydroponics is ideal, as it contains all the macro and micronutrients I need in a form I can easily absorb through my new aquatic roots.
As I establish myself, I will begin to produce new leafy growth at the top. You can encourage me to become bushier by pinching off the very top set of leaves. This redirects my energy to lateral buds. My root system will become dense and fibrous. Continue with regular water changes and nutrient supplementation. While I can live in water indefinitely, eventually the roots may overcrowd the vessel or the system may become less stable. You may choose to keep me pruned or transfer my robust root system to a hydroponic setup with aeration for a truly vigorous life.
