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Moroccan mint

ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
in Plants
In the Spring, I bought a small Moroccan mint plant and just popped the whole thing, small tub and all into a pot that had some thyme and a rosemary plant. I took out the tub in order to transplant it and I had a hard time of doing so since it had rooted (the thyme had died and I transplanted the Rosemary some weeks earlier). Once I cut away the small roots and the plastic tub, I saw the the roots were large and all twisted around, in summary, it's a beast! I tried to loosen some of the roots, but I feared I would damage them. I just put the root bound plant in a larger planter and stuck it on some soil in the garden. I don't want the thing to root where I've put it, so I've put a ceramic plate under it. 

This message is not a question or anything, just an observation. My mother is still dealing with a mint planted some 20 years ago so I don't to go down that route! I know the bees like this plant so that's why I'm keeping it. I just don't want it to root through the pot!

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Hello Eliza Rose

    Most growers I know keep their mint plants in separate pots well away from their gardens . Might be an idea to let it do its own thing , for example free standing in a large pot on a patio or something similar .
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I grow all my mints in big ceramic pots on the terrace near the kitchen.  I'm down to just 4 or 5 varieties now.  They need to be kept separate from each other or they'll lose their individual flavour and separate from other plants because they are thugs and spread through their root systems.

    We also have wild apple mint all over the place here.  Lovely to walk on as we go round the plot  - ex farm so not yet a garden - and smells very fresh when mowing it in the grass.   Covered in insects when the bits we leave long are in flower.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
    Thank you Paul and Obelizz, I did not know that about the varieties losing their flavour if close together. 

    I used to have an apple mint - very nice. 

    I may try to keep this one alive and find a nice ceramic pot for it. I'll have lots of mint tea.

    I do have one question - can I cut it way down in the Spring? Right now it is quite straggly and about 1ft high.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Yes, you can and should.  I've already cut all mine back by half but my winter won't be as cold as yours so you should wait.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
    Thanks Obelixx, I can see little shoots from the base already. I'll leave it until the Spring.
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