How to take mint cuttings in spring

How to take mint cuttings in spring

Find out how easy it is to propagate mint by taking cuttings.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is not at its best in January

Plant is not at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is not at its best in April

Plant is not at its best in May

Plant is not at its best in June

Plant is not at its best in July

Plant is at its best in August

Plant is not at its best in September

Plant is not at its best in October

Plant is not at its best in November

Plant is not at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do To do in March

Do To do in April

Do To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

Mint plants give the best flavour and fragrance from new growth and are renowned for their vigour. Take cuttings in spring and you’ll have young mint plants bursting with flavour, ripe for pickings to last you all summer.

The method we’ve used in this project involves using fresh top growth, then rooting the cuttings in water. However, should you want to propagate mint in autumn and winter, you can do that, too, by taking root cuttings.

More on growing herbs:

Mint plants give the best flavour and fragrance from new growth and are renowned for their vigour.

Follow these easy steps to take mint cuttings.

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You Will Need

  • Mint plant
  • Secateurs
  • Clean glass jar
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost

Total time:

Step 1

Take cuttings from the top growth of your mint plant, about 8cm in length. Remove the lower leaves and cut the stem just below the leaf node (the point on the stem where leaves emerge).

Cutting a stem of mint
Cutting a stem of mint

Step 2

Place the stems in a glass of water. Leave in a light, airy place until the stems have taken root.

Placing mint stems in a glass of water
Placing mint stems in a glass of water

Step 3

The stems will take root within a couple of weeks. Once a good root system has developed, pot the stems up in a container with good quality, peat-free multipurpose compost.

Planting rooted mint cuttings in compost
Planting rooted mint cuttings in compost

Step 4

Firm compost around the stems and water well. Top up with compost if necessary.

Watering the new mint plant
Watering the new mint plant

Step 5

Trim the top growth from the stems as this reduces the surface area from which the plants can lose water. Keep the pot indoors for a week, ensuring the compost stays moist. Once the plants have become established, transplant them into their final growing positions.

Trimming young mint stems
Trimming young mint stems
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Check leaves regularly for fungus mint rust, which appears as rusty spots on the underside of leaves. Destroy plants if you find it.

Secateurs