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Advice on mint care?

ilssiikoscheim3XJRjZnilssiikoscheim3XJRjZn Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hi!

I was given a mint plant a day or two ago, and it's looking- well. Rather peaky. I've posted pictures at the end of this message.

The leaves are curled, very dry, and often full of holes. The plant as a whole seems to have gone spindly, as though it hasn't been getting enough sunlight. It lived outside until it was given to me, and now lives in the kitchen (we have no garden space), a room kept relatively cold and without much direct sunlight. The soil is composted and kept damp.

If anyone has any advice on how to care for this plant, to make it healthy and safe to eat, I would really appreciate it!

 (sorry for the HUGE image sizes!)


Posts

  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    Yep, that's an abused plant  ;) . The good news is that mint is the Arnold Schwarzenegger of herbs. It'll be back, ready to take over your garden, raid your fridge, steal your car and invite its friends over for a party.

    Cut the stems all the way down to the compost. Make sure it's damp but not soaked, and put it somewhere bright. A window ledge is fine.

    Depending how unhappy it is, you'll see some fresh green shoots soon enough!
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Agree, chop it all back to less than a cm high, give it a good water and let it drain, and put it on a bright windowsill. 
    Utah, USA.
  • ilssiikoscheim3XJRjZnilssiikoscheim3XJRjZn Posts: 1
    Thank you to you both! The plant has been cut back, and put in some shallow water for now to keep the soil damp. Can't do much about the light given the season, but will make sure it doesn't get shut in a dark cupboard or anything. Here's hoping it perks up soon!
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Don't let it sit in water.. 
    Utah, USA.
  • ilssiikoscheim3XJRjZnilssiikoscheim3XJRjZn Posts: 1
    oh! Elsewhere I got the opposite advice. Can you explain why it's bad for the plant?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Because it rots them  :)
    The only plants which can sit permanently in water are pond plants and willow. 
    Ensure it's well dampened, but it should be allowed to drain and excess water poured away. It may need thoroughly soaked to ensure the compost will actually absorb water, but after that, make sure it isn't sitting with a pool of water at the base all the time.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ilssiikoscheim3XJRjZnilssiikoscheim3XJRjZn Posts: 1
    Ahhh, yes, I can see why that would be a problem. The roots aren't very well established yet, so I don't want to encourage any mould or fungi that might damage them. Thank you!
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