Propagating Mint Plants from roots
It maybe winter and the garden is fast asleep but don’t despair, you can still get some gardening done. Beat the winter blues, by propagating mint plants from roots!
Yes, you read that right. You can grow new mint plants from their roots alone. That is exactly what we are showing you how to do, on today's 5-minute Friday. This is not a technique you see commonly outside of a commercial nursery, but it is easier than you may think and a fantastic way to grow some plants for free. Plus, it gets a great head start on the growing season, before you know it, you will be picking fresh mint leaves to use in a refreshing tea.
Why propagate mint plants from roots?
Mint in the UK is a deciduous plant, which means it will lose all the growth above ground. This is something the plant does naturally. This means it is not possible to propagate your plants during the winter, from traditional cuttings. So, if you want to get a head start on the growing season, the best thing you can do is take a root cutting. As well as being extremely easy to do, this is also a fantastic technique to grow a lot of new plants. If the mother plant (the plant, we are taking the cuttings from) is large enough, you may be able to take as many as 50 cuttings. Those extra plants will be very handy, if you use as much mint as I do.
What you need to take root cuttings
A mother plant: This is the mint plant you would like to take the root cuttings from. It will need to be established enough, to have produced enough roots. However, mint being a strong growing plant, this could be a plant as young as a year old.
A sharp pair of scissors or knife: This will need to be nice and sharp; it makes the job a lot easier.
A spade: This is only relevant if your plant is in the ground, as they will need to be dug up to get to the roots.
Some pots or a cell tray: This is what we will be using to put the new plants in, as long as the container is at least 5-10 cm across, it will be big enough to take our cuttings.
Some compost: Mint is not a fussy plant and can cope with many different conditions. I would recommend a decent quality multipurpose compost.
In this step by step guide we are focusing on Mint plants which have been grown in pots. If your mother plant is in the ground all the tips apply. The only extra step you need to do is dig you plants up.
How to take Mint root cuttings – step by step guide
- Find your roots: The first step is to get to the roots of the mint plant. The best technique for this, is to remove the plant from the pot completely. With a plastic pot, gently squeeze the pot to move the roots away from the edge and tip the plant out.
- Take the root cutting: Mint plants produce a lot of roots; it is the fat fleshy roots we want to use. The wonderful thing about pot grown mints, is these will often be on the outside. Without too much effort, you can tease a length of root away from the compost. We are looking to take a cutting around 5-10cm (about the length of the long edge of a credit card) long. Along the length of the root you will see little nodes, these look like bumps. We want to make sure you have at least one of these on the cutting you take. When you find this, take you cutting. If you are taking more than one, repeat this process.
- Pot the root cuttings up: Fill your pot of cell tray 2-4 cm (about half the length of the short edge of a credit card) from the top with your compost. Now lay your cutting on the surface of the compost horizontally. Once your cutting is in place, cover with more compost all the way to the top.
- Water well: Now your cutting is in place, water the pot well. Gently water a little bit and then stop while you wait for the water to sink in, once it has, repeat this process until the compost is completely watered, you will know it is done, when water starts to come out of the bottom of the pot.
- Wait patiently: Now it is a waiting game, place your pot in a bright location out of direct sunlight. If you have a propagator with a little bit of heat, this will speed up the process. Be aware you may be waiting a few weeks before you see any signs of growth.
Transplanting you Mint plants
Once your roots start to grow, keep the compost moist but not waterlogged. Your new mint plants will be ready to transplant into the garden, or a large pot when the roots start showing thorough the base of the pot.
